Asbestos on Ships: The Hidden Danger That Still Affects Workers Today
For decades, asbestos was woven into the very fabric of shipbuilding — quite literally. From engine rooms to sleeping quarters, asbestos on ships was considered indispensable, prized for its resistance to fire, heat, and saltwater corrosion. The consequences for the workers who built, maintained, and sailed those vessels have been devastating, and the danger has not disappeared.
Old vessels still in service, decommissioned naval ships, and ageing commercial fleets all carry asbestos-containing materials that pose a serious risk to anyone who disturbs them. Understanding where asbestos was used, what it does to the human body, and how to manage it safely is not optional — it is a matter of life and death.
Why Asbestos Was Used So Extensively on Ships
Ships operate in extreme conditions. Engines run at intense heat, boilers generate enormous pressure, and the risk of fire at sea — far from any fire service — is catastrophic. Asbestos seemed like the perfect solution to all of these problems.
From the 1930s through to the 1970s, asbestos was specified in shipbuilding at almost every level. It was cheap, abundant, and genuinely effective at doing what it was supposed to do. The problem, of course, was what it did to the people who worked with it.
Common Asbestos-Containing Materials Found on Ships
The range of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) used in shipbuilding was enormous. Almost no part of a vessel was entirely free of it. Common materials included:
- Pipe lagging and boiler insulation — thick asbestos wraps kept heat in and protected workers from burns
- Insulation boards and ceiling tiles — used throughout crew quarters, galleys, and offices
- Gaskets and seals — asbestos was used in pipe joints and engine components to prevent leaks
- Deck and floor tiles — asbestos-reinforced tiles were standard across most working areas
- Textiles and fire blankets — woven asbestos cloth was used for protective clothing and emergency equipment
- Spray coatings — applied directly to steel structures to provide fire protection and insulation
- Cable insulation — asbestos protected electrical wiring from heat and moisture damage
- Hydraulic and pump packing — asbestos components were used to handle high-pressure systems
- Adhesives and sealants — asbestos-containing compounds bonded insulation materials and filled gaps
- Cement products — asbestos cement lined walls, bulkheads, and floors throughout vessels
In naval vessels and submarines, the use was even more intensive. The confined spaces, high operating temperatures, and fire risk in combat conditions made asbestos appear essential. The Royal Navy used asbestos extensively before switching to glass fibre alternatives, and similar transitions happened across other navies — but only after decades of exposure had already occurred.
The Health Risks of Asbestos on Ships
The health consequences of working with asbestos on ships are severe and, in many cases, fatal. What makes asbestos particularly dangerous is the long latency period between exposure and the onset of disease — often 20 to 50 years. Workers who were exposed in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s are still being diagnosed today.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and has no cure. Once diagnosed, life expectancy is typically measured in months rather than years.
Shipyard workers and naval personnel are among the highest-risk groups for mesothelioma anywhere in the world. The combination of heavy asbestos use, confined working environments, and poor ventilation created conditions where fibre concentrations in the air were extraordinarily high.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the scarring of lung tissue following prolonged asbestos exposure. It causes progressive breathlessness, a persistent cough, and in advanced cases, respiratory failure. There is no treatment that reverses the damage — management focuses on slowing progression and relieving symptoms.
Lung Cancer
Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly in people who also smoked. Shipyard workers exposed to asbestos fibres over many years have substantially elevated rates of lung cancer compared to the general population.
Other Asbestos-Related Conditions
Beyond the three main diseases, asbestos exposure is also linked to pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and in some cases, ovarian cancer. Even conditions that are not immediately life-threatening can cause significant long-term breathing difficulties and a reduced quality of life.
Naval Personnel and Veterans: A Particularly Vulnerable Group
The legacy of asbestos on ships extends far beyond civilian shipyards. Naval personnel who served aboard vessels built during the height of asbestos use face a disproportionate burden of asbestos-related disease.
Submarines were particularly high-risk environments. The combination of extreme heat from nuclear or diesel propulsion, complete absence of fresh air, and the intensive use of asbestos insulation throughout the vessel created conditions that maximised fibre inhalation. Crew members slept, ate, and worked in spaces lined with asbestos-containing materials.
Veterans who served in engine rooms, boiler rooms, or as maintenance personnel face the highest risks. But even those who had no direct contact with asbestos materials were still exposed through the general atmosphere of the vessel.
If you are a veteran or former shipyard worker and are concerned about past exposure, speaking to your GP about monitoring and early detection is a sensible precaution. The earlier any asbestos-related condition is identified, the more treatment options are available.
Asbestos on Ships Today: The Ongoing Risk
It would be a mistake to think of asbestos on ships as purely a historical problem. Vessels built before the 1980s — many of which are still in service, undergoing refit, or being broken down — contain significant quantities of asbestos-containing materials.
Ship Repair and Refitting
Any work that disturbs the fabric of an older vessel carries the risk of releasing asbestos fibres. Cutting, drilling, sanding, or removing insulation, tiles, or pipe lagging without proper assessment and controls can expose workers to dangerous concentrations of fibres within minutes.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, anyone who may work on or disturb asbestos-containing materials must be trained to do so. For most types of asbestos work, a licensed contractor is required. Failing to comply is not just a regulatory breach — it puts lives at risk.
Ship Demolition and Breaking
Ship breaking — the process of dismantling end-of-life vessels — is one of the most hazardous occupations in the world, in large part because of asbestos. Workers cutting through steel structures, removing insulation, and stripping out internal fittings are exposed to every type of asbestos-containing material simultaneously.
In the UK, ship breaking must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations and HSE guidance, including HSG264 on asbestos surveying. Before demolition work begins, a thorough demolition survey must be carried out to identify all ACMs present. This is not a formality — it is the foundation of a safe demolition plan.
Where asbestos is identified, asbestos removal by a licensed contractor must be completed before structural demolition proceeds. Any attempt to shortcut this process puts workers, the environment, and surrounding communities at risk.
Vessels Still in Active Service
Some older vessels remain in commercial service, particularly in the leisure, heritage, and fishing sectors. Owners and operators of these vessels have a legal duty to manage any asbestos-containing materials present.
This means commissioning an asbestos survey, maintaining an asbestos register, and ensuring that any maintenance or repair work is carried out safely. If you manage or operate an older vessel and are unsure of its asbestos status, do not wait for a problem to arise — the time to act is before any work begins.
What the Regulations Require: Managing Asbestos on Ships Safely
The Control of Asbestos Regulations set out clear legal duties for managing asbestos in workplaces, including vessels. The HSE’s guidance document HSG264 provides detailed advice on how asbestos surveys should be conducted and what they should cover.
The Asbestos Survey
Before any refitting, repair, or demolition work on an older vessel, a professional asbestos survey is essential. There are two main types:
- Management survey — identifies ACMs present in the vessel that could be disturbed during normal maintenance and operation. Suitable for vessels in active service.
- Refurbishment and demolition survey — a more intrusive survey required before major refitting or demolition work. This survey aims to locate all ACMs that could be disturbed by the planned work.
Both types of survey must be carried out by a competent surveyor with appropriate training and experience. The results form the basis of an asbestos register and management plan.
The Asbestos Register and Management Plan
Once ACMs have been identified, the information must be recorded in an asbestos register. This document tells anyone working on the vessel where asbestos is located, what condition it is in, and what precautions must be taken.
The register must be kept up to date and made available to anyone who might disturb the materials — including maintenance contractors, repair crews, and emergency services.
Licensed Removal
Most asbestos removal work — particularly involving sprayed coatings, pipe lagging, and insulation board — must be carried out by a contractor licensed by the HSE. Licensed contractors are trained to work safely with high-risk asbestos materials, use the correct equipment, and dispose of waste in accordance with the regulations.
Safe removal involves a range of controls including:
- Sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting and establishing negative pressure enclosures
- Using wet methods to suppress dust during removal
- Wearing appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and disposable coveralls
- Using HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaners to collect loose fibres
- Double-bagging and labelling asbestos waste before transport to a licensed disposal facility
- Carrying out air monitoring before, during, and after removal to verify safety
- Completing a four-stage clearance procedure before the area is reoccupied
Training and Awareness for Those Working on Ships
Knowledge is the first line of defence. Anyone who works on older vessels — whether as a crew member, maintenance engineer, surveyor, or contractor — should have a clear understanding of the risks posed by asbestos and what to do if they encounter a suspect material.
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, workers who are liable to disturb asbestos must receive asbestos awareness training. This covers:
- What asbestos is and where it is likely to be found on ships
- How asbestos fibres cause disease
- The importance of not disturbing suspect materials
- What to do if asbestos is discovered unexpectedly
- How to report concerns and access professional advice
Training should be refreshed regularly and records kept. It is not a one-off exercise. For those managing vessels or shipyard operations, regular health surveillance for workers with potential asbestos exposure is also good practice.
What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos on a Vessel
If you are working on or managing an older vessel and you encounter a material you suspect may contain asbestos, the rule is straightforward: stop work immediately and do not disturb it further. Even well-intentioned attempts to investigate or remove a suspect material can release fibres into the air.
The next step is to arrange a professional survey. A qualified asbestos surveyor will take samples for laboratory analysis, assess the condition of any ACMs, and provide a clear report on what is present and what action is required.
Do not rely on visual inspection alone. Many asbestos-containing materials look identical to non-asbestos alternatives. Only laboratory analysis of a properly taken sample can confirm whether asbestos is present.
Asbestos Surveys for Marine and Shipyard Environments Across the UK
Whether you are managing a working vessel, overseeing a refit, or planning the demolition of an end-of-life ship, professional asbestos surveying is the essential first step. Supernova Asbestos Surveys operates across the UK, providing expert asbestos surveys for marine environments, shipyards, and associated facilities.
Our surveyors are experienced in the full range of ACMs found in maritime settings and work to the standards set out in HSG264 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations. We provide clear, actionable reports that tell you exactly what is present, where it is, and what needs to happen next.
We cover the length and breadth of the country. If you need an asbestos survey in London, our teams are on hand to respond quickly across the capital and surrounding areas. For clients in the north-west, our asbestos survey in Manchester service covers the city and the wider region. And for those in the Midlands, our asbestos survey in Birmingham team is ready to assist.
With over 50,000 surveys completed nationwide, we have the experience and expertise to handle even the most complex marine asbestos challenges. Call us on 020 4586 0680 or visit asbestos-surveys.org.uk to arrange a survey or speak to one of our specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asbestos still found on ships in the UK?
Yes. Many vessels built before the 1980s still contain significant quantities of asbestos-containing materials. This includes commercial ships, heritage and leisure vessels, and some fishing boats. Owners and operators have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations to manage any ACMs present and to ensure that maintenance and repair work is carried out safely.
What types of asbestos were used on ships?
All three main types of asbestos — crocidolite (blue), amosite (brown), and chrysotile (white) — were used in shipbuilding. Crocidolite and amosite, which are considered the most hazardous, were commonly used in pipe lagging, insulation board, and spray coatings. Chrysotile was used in a wider range of products including gaskets, textiles, and cement products.
Do I need a survey before carrying out repair work on an older vessel?
Yes. Before any refitting or repair work on a vessel built before the 1980s, a professional asbestos survey should be commissioned. A management survey is appropriate for ongoing maintenance, while a refurbishment and demolition survey is required before more intrusive work. Both must be carried out by a competent, trained surveyor in line with HSG264.
What should I do if I find a suspect material on a ship?
Stop work immediately and do not disturb the material further. Contact a qualified asbestos surveyor to take samples for laboratory analysis. Never attempt to remove or investigate a suspect material yourself — even brief disturbance can release dangerous fibres into the air. Only a licensed contractor should carry out removal work once asbestos has been confirmed.
Are naval veterans entitled to support if they were exposed to asbestos on ships?
Veterans who developed asbestos-related diseases as a result of service may be entitled to compensation or support through the Ministry of Defence and the War Pensions Scheme. Speaking to a specialist solicitor with experience in asbestos claims is advisable. In the first instance, visit your GP to discuss monitoring and referral if you are concerned about past exposure.