⚓ U.S. Navy — Rating Exposure Profile
Hull Technician (HT) — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Hull Technicians performed welding, pipefitting, damage control, and general repair throughout the ship. Because their work took them into every compartment — from keel to mast — HTs encountered asbestos-containing materials across virtually all ship spaces, not just engineering spaces.
Spaces & Work Areas
Hull Technician (HT) sailors regularly worked in:
- Damage control lockers
- Pipe runs throughout the ship
- Void spaces
- Engineering spaces
- Berthing and living spaces (older ships)
How HTs Were Exposed
HTs routinely cut, fitted, and welded around asbestos-lagged pipes. Welding and grinding in insulated spaces vaporized or disturbed nearby asbestos. Damage control training involved working in smoke-filled compartments where asbestos debris collected. Replacing gaskets and valve packing was daily work.
U.S. Navy ships built before approximately 1980 used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials throughout their engineering plants and throughout the ship. Sailors in the Hull Technician (HT) rating were among those most regularly in contact with these materials.
Ship Types Where HTs Served
Hull Technician (HT) sailors were assigned across multiple ship types. Asbestos was used throughout all of these vessel types during the pre-1980 construction era:
VA Claims & Legal Options
HTs have one of the broadest ship-type exposures of any rating. If you worked on vessels built before 1980 and have an asbestos-related diagnosis, you likely have a strong case. Document every ship and the types of repair work you performed.
Two Paths: VA Disability & Asbestos Trust Funds
- VA disability compensation — Monthly benefit for service-connected asbestos-related disease. Requires a diagnosis, evidence of in-service exposure (your rating and ship records), and a nexus statement linking the two.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Lump-sum payments from bankruptcy trusts funded by asbestos product manufacturers. Requires identifying specific products used aboard your ship class. Multiple trusts may apply to a single claimant.
These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
Navy veterans overview › 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 Hull Technicians face asbestos exposure throughout the whole ship or just the engine room?
Throughout the whole ship. Unlike engineering ratings who mostly stayed in propulsion spaces, HTs were called to every compartment — berthing, engineering, damage control, void spaces, overhead runs — wherever pipe work or structural repair was needed. This broad exposure is why HT is consistently listed among the highest-risk Navy ratings.
My ship was overhauled during my service. Does shipyard asbestos exposure count?
Yes. Navy veterans who were aboard during overhauls at naval shipyards were exposed to the same (or more intense) asbestos hazards as civilian shipyard workers. The VA considers in-service shipyard exposure the same as shipboard operational exposure.
Is there a latency period between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma?
Yes — typically 20 to 50 years. Many Navy veterans who served in the 1950s–1970s are receiving diagnoses now. If you were a HT during that era and have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer, the long latency period is a recognized medical fact that supports your claim.