⚓ U.S. Navy — Auxiliary & Supply Ships
Various fleet tugs ATF
The Various fleet tugs ATF consisted of 26 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Various fleet tugs ATF ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Various fleet tugs ATF vessels included:
- Pipe lagging and block insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms
- Gaskets at pipe flanges throughout the engineering plant
- Valve stem packing and pump seals
- Turbine casing insulation and expansion joint material
- Asbestos rope, cloth, and tape used for sealing and repair work
For detailed information on spaces and products specific to auxiliary & supply ships, see the Auxiliary & Supply Ships asbestos overview ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard auxiliary & supply ships of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.
Ships in the Various fleet tugs ATF (26 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Abnaki | ATF-96 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Apache | ATF-67 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Arikara | ATF-98 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Atakapa | ATF-149 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Catawba | ATF-168 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Cherokee | ATF-66 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Cocopa | ATF-101 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Hitchiti | ATF-103 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Hopi | ATF-71 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Moctobi | ATF-105 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Molala | ATF-106 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Munsee | ATF-107 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Navaho | ATF-169 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Paiute | ATF-159 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Papago | ATF-160 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Pocahontas | ATF-161 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Potawatomi | ATF-109 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Quapaw | ATF-110 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Seneca | ATF-91 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Takelma | ATF-113 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tawakoni | ATF-114 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tawasa | ATF-92 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tillamook | ATF-115 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Ute | ATF-76 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Lipan | ATF-85 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Luiseno | ATF-156 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Various fleet tugs ATF Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Various fleet tugs ATF ships may be eligible for:
- VA disability compensation — monthly benefit; requires diagnosis plus evidence of shipboard service. No manufacturer identification needed.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — lump-sum payments from trusts funded by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and others). Requires identifying specific products used aboard.
These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.
Full claim guidance for Auxiliary & Supply Ships › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Various fleet tugs ATF ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Various fleet tugs ATF was built during the era when asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval construction. Engineering spaces aboard these vessels contained asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or repair roles had the highest likelihood of exposure.
How do I prove I served aboard a Various fleet tugs ATF ship for a VA claim?
Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) lists your ship assignments. Additional documentation includes ship deck logs (available from the National Archives), official orders, and buddy statements from fellow crew members. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you gather and submit this evidence at no cost.
What asbestos products were used aboard Various fleet tugs ATF ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships of this era included Kaylo pipe insulation (Owens-Illinois), Unibestos block insulation (Pittsburgh Corning), 85% magnesia pipe covering (various manufacturers), Flexitallic spiral-wound gaskets, and Johns-Manville pipe covering. A mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims maintains detailed product-identification databases for specific ship classes.
Did You Serve Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF?
If you or a family member served aboard Various fleet tugs ATF, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Sharing your service information is completely voluntary and may help build the historical record of shipboard exposure — information that can be valuable in VA disability and asbestos trust fund claims.
What we do with your information: Your submission goes into a private moderation queue. We will never publish your name, contact details, or diagnosis information publicly. The only information that may appear publicly is an anonymized count of verified veterans who have reported serving on this ship. We will not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties except as necessary to respond to your specific request. You may request deletion of your information at any time.
To request that your information be removed: Data Removal Request ›