Coast Guard and Asbestos

Coast Guard cutters relied on engines, boilers, pumps and piping that were often insulated or sealed with asbestos-containing materials. Crew members in engineering roles maintained and repaired these systems, sometimes in tight spaces with limited airflow. Replacing gaskets, repairing insulation or working on machinery could release fibers. Because cutters often operated for long periods, exposure could be repeated over time. When preparing a claim, describe the cutters you served on, your duties and the parts of the vessel where you spent most of your working hours.

Coast Guard members also served at shore stations, lighthouses, air stations and support facilities, many of them built when asbestos was common in building materials and heating systems. Boiler rooms and older structures could contain asbestos insulation, floor tile and roofing. Maintenance, repair and renovation work could disturb those materials and release dust into shared spaces. Members assigned to facilities, electrical or engineering duties ashore may have had direct contact. Listing each duty station, the buildings where you worked, and any building or heating system work you remember helps reviewers understand exposure outside of shipboard service.

Personnel records, including service history and job ratings, can be requested through the National Archives for many former members. Vessel records and logs can help confirm time aboard specific cutters. Statements from shipmates or coworkers can describe conditions and duties in detail. Because some reviewers may be less familiar with Coast Guard exposure, a thorough written account is especially helpful. A veterans service officer can help assemble records and submit a VA claim, while an attorney can look into trust claims tied to the products used.

1. 1

   List each cutter and shore station where you served, with dates and duties.

2. 2

   Request your personnel records through the National Archives using the standard request process.

3. 3

   Ask former shipmates for statements about engine room or maintenance conditions.

4. 4

   Share your service history with a veterans service officer to start a VA claim.