Coast Guard Veterans and Mesothelioma

Members of the Coast Guard are likely to have been exposed to asbestos during their time of service. If you are a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and worked on a ship built prior to 1991, it's possible you may have come into contact with asbestos and are at risk of developing mesothelioma.

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Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in the Coast Guard

For decades, Coast Guard veterans were unknowingly exposed to asbestos while serving aboard ships and working in base facilities. Asbestos, widely used for its heat resistance and durability, was a key component in ship insulation, boiler rooms, engine rooms, and piping systems. Those who performed ship maintenance, insulation repairs, or mechanical work often encountered asbestos fibers without proper protection. Despite its known dangers, asbestos was used in Coast Guard vessels as recently as 1991, leaving generations of veterans at risk.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can take 20 to 50 years to develop, meaning many former service members may only now be experiencing the effects of exposure. Coast Guard veterans and personnel stationed aboard cutters, the largest ships in the fleet, faced prolonged exposure in confined spaces where asbestos was heavily used. Studies show that military veterans account for nearly 30% of all mesothelioma cases in the U.S., making awareness and early detection critical.

While the Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the military, its veterans remain at high risk for asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma due to long-term exposure during service. Those diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses may qualify for VA healthcare, disability benefits, and legal compensation. Understanding the risks and available resources is essential for Coast Guard veterans who may have likely been exposed. For those who have or family members and friends who know a veteran who has, continue reading to learn how asbestos was used in the Coast Guard and what steps you can take to seek compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

How Coast Guard Veterans Used Asbestos in the Military

For much of the 20th century, asbestos was a standard material in Coast Guard ships, bases, and equipment due to its heat resistance and fireproofing qualities. Coast Guard veterans serving between the 1930s and early 1990s were frequently exposed to asbestos while performing routine maintenance, repairs, and construction tasks often without realizing the long-term health risks. Engine rooms, boiler rooms, and insulation materials aboard ships were heavily insulated with asbestos, and personnel working in these confined spaces faced daily exposure to airborne fibers.

When asbestos-containing materials were disturbed, microscopic fibers became airborne, where they were easily inhaled or ingested. Coast Guard personnel were most at risk while repairing ship engines, replacing insulation, and working with fireproofing materials to inhale these deadly fibers. Those who served on cutters, icebreakers, and patrol boats often faced prolonged exposure due to the extended time spent in asbestos-lined compartments.

Coastal Occupations Likely Exposed to Asbestos

Coast Guard veterans who served as engineers, shipbuilders, and maintenance crew members were among those most at risk of asbestos exposure. These roles required long hours in tight, poorly ventilated spaces, often surrounded by asbestos-laden insulation, machinery, and piping. For many, exposure was unavoidable, and the long-term health consequences were unknown at the time. Now, decades later, veterans are facing devastating diagnoses of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis—conditions that take decades to develop and can be incredibly difficult to process later in life.

Engineers worked in engine rooms lined with asbestos insulation on pipes, boilers, and machinery. These enclosed spaces often had high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers, putting engineers at an increased risk of inhalation. Shipbuilders handled asbestos during the construction and repair of Coast Guard vessels, regularly working with asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. This exposure occurred both on ships and in shipyards, making it nearly impossible to avoid contamination.

Maintenance crew members were responsible for replacing and removing asbestos insulation around ship components. Routine repairs and upgrades unknowingly disturbed asbestos materials, releasing hazardous fibers into the air. For many Coast Guard veterans, the effects of their service are only now becoming clear, as asbestos-related diseases often emerge late in life. Facing these diagnoses can be overwhelming, but help is available. Legal resources, financial compensation, and VA benefits guides may be options for those affected.

Were Other Workers Exposed to Asbestos to Shipyards?

Yes, civilian workers and contractors who worked in Coast Guard shipyards alongside veterans also faced significant asbestos exposure. These workers were involved in the construction, maintenance, and repair of ships, often handling asbestos-containing materials without proper protective gear. Tasks such as cutting, sanding, and replacing insulation released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air, putting both military personnel and civilian workers at risk. Because asbestos-related diseases take decades to develop, many former shipyard workers, even those who never served in the Coast Guard, are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you or someone you know worked in a Coast Guard shipyard, it’s important to understand the health risks and explore legal and medical resources available for asbestos-related conditions.

Veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for VA compensation. Speak with a patient advocate today.

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Types of US Ships Made with Asbestos

Coast Guard ships were often made with asbestos-containing materials from the 1940s to the 1980s due to their extensive use in high-temperature areas. Vessels used for search-and-rescue, law enforcement, and defense operations contained asbestos insulation to protect Coast Guard veterans and equipment from damage during long missions. Veterans working inside the engine and boiler rooms onboard were at significant risk of asbestos exposure as the materials were found not only in the insulation but also in gaskets, seals, and flooring. Some examples of vessels that were heavily reliant on asbestos include:

Cutter Class Ships: Ships such as Hamilton-class cutters and Secretary-class cutters used asbestos insulation around pipes in engine rooms to resist heat during long search and rescue missions. The insulation protected the crew from the extreme heat on the ship during their missions.

Proficient-class Cutters: These ships were used during the mid-20th century. Coast Guard veterans who worked in engine and boiler rooms and maintenance crews were most vulnerable to asbestos exposure during insulation and repairs in tight rooms.

Point-class Cutters: These ships were used for coastal defense and rescue operations during the 1980s. Coast Guard veterans who worked in the engine and boiler rooms commonly inhaled disturbed fibers with little to no knowledge of the dangers of asbestos.

Coastal Bases and Sites That Used Asbestos

Coast Guard veterans were not only exposed to asbestos on ships and in shipyards but also in Coast Guard facilities and coastal bases where maintenance and construction activities took place. One of the most significant sites for asbestos exposure was the Coast Guard Yard in Curtis Bay, Maryland, one of the largest Coast Guard maintenance yards in the U.S. Asbestos was used extensively in the yard’s insulation, heating systems, and various equipment, putting veterans working there at high risk of future asbestos-related diseases. Those who worked on machinery maintenance or in confined spaces at Curtis Bay were unknowingly exposed to airborne asbestos fibers.

Another major site of concern was the U.S. Coast Guard Base Miami Beach in Florida, where asbestos-containing materials were widely used in workshops and warehouses. Veterans working in these areas, especially in small, poorly ventilated spaces, were exposed to asbestos dust during repairs and renovations. These long-term exposures at both Curtis Bay and Miami Beach have led many Coast Guard veterans to develop asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer later in life. If you served at either of these locations or similar bases, it’s important to consider potential asbestos exposure and the healthcare and compensation options available. The James Haley Veterans Hospital is also in Florida for veterans seeking treatment.

Next Steps for Coast Guard Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Coast Guard veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service may now be facing the effects of that exposure. Seeking medical advice from mesothelioma specialists is crucial for creating an effective treatment plan. The Coast Guard VA offers specialized care, including access to healthcare providers experienced in treating asbestos-related diseases. Veterans should consult their local VA medical center for an initial consultation.

Veterans who suffer from any condition that was brought on or contracted during their service are eligible for benefits through the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). As long as the veteran has been other-than-dishonorably-discharged, then the VA will be able to help cover the cost of treatment or compensate the veteran to help them go through treatment without losing income they may need.

To figure out what you qualify for, you must apply through the VA. They can help explain the process and what you must do to receive your benefits. Also talk with your doctor about reaching out to a specialist. They can answer every question you may have and advise the best course of treatment to improve the prognosis. Contact us if you need help in connecting to a treatment or legal resource.