The Engineman (EN) rating operated and maintained internal combustion engines — diesel engines, gas turbines, and their associated support systems — aboard Navy vessels and at shore installations. While Boiler Tenders and Machinist’s Mates owned the steam propulsion plant on large combatants, Enginemen were responsible for diesel-powered and diesel-electric vessels, and maintained emergency diesel generators aboard virtually every Navy ship regardless of primary propulsion type.
The diesel engine’s exhaust system, engine block gaskets, and turbocharger insulation were asbestos-containing systems maintained by Enginemen through the 1970s.
Engineman Work Environment
Enginemen worked below deck in engine rooms, auxiliary machine spaces, and generator rooms. The specific spaces varied by ship type:
Diesel-driven vessels (destroyer escorts, amphibious ships, auxiliaries, patrol craft): The Engineman was the primary propulsion rating — working in diesel engine rooms with asbestos-containing exhaust piping insulation, exhaust manifold gaskets, turbocharger insulation, and fuel system components. Deposition testimony from an Engineman aboard a diesel-driven vessel confirms below-deck work in these spaces with asbestos-containing materials.
Emergency diesel generators (all ship types): Every Navy vessel — including steam-powered carriers and cruisers — carried emergency diesel generators maintained by Enginemen. These generators used asbestos-containing exhaust system insulation and gaskets throughout the exhaust train, from the engine block through the muffler to the uptake. Routine generator tests, scheduled maintenance, and casualty responses all involved exposure to asbestos exhaust insulation.
Shore installations (gas turbine plants, generator facilities): Enginemen served at Naval Amphibious Bases, naval stations, and other shore installations maintaining diesel and gas-turbine power generation equipment. Asbestos-containing insulation was standard on shore-based boiler plant and generator exhaust systems through the 1970s.
Documented Work Activities
Publicly filed deposition testimony from Navy Enginemen documents the following asbestos-releasing activities:
Gasket replacement: “Asbestos gaskets repeatedly while an Engineman aboard [ship]” — deposition testimony directly documents repeated contact with asbestos gaskets during engine maintenance. Diesel engine head gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, and turbocharger flanges all used compressed asbestos sheet gaskets requiring periodic replacement. Removing an old gasket required scraping the mating surface clean — generating asbestos dust at close range.
Diesel exhaust system maintenance: Exhaust system insulation — pipe covering and block insulation on diesel exhaust lines — deteriorated from heat cycling and vibration. Enginemen removing or reinstalling exhaust insulation for maintenance access disturbed friable, heat-degraded asbestos insulation at close range.
Below-deck work: “My work as an Engineman occurred below deck[s]” — deposition testimony places Enginemen in enclosed below-deck spaces where asbestos-containing insulation covered overhead and bulkhead surfaces adjacent to the diesel engineering spaces.
Engineman A School: “Engineman A School” is referenced in publicly filed records — documenting that EN training at facilities including Naval Training Center Great Lakes prepared ratings for diesel engine maintenance work with the equipment and materials described above.
Ships Documented in Litigation
Publicly filed asbestos litigation identifies Enginemen aboard:
- USS Chebo[ygan or similar] — Engineman served 1966–1967 aboard this vessel with asbestos gasket exposure
- Amphibious ships (LPA, LSD, LKA) — Enginemen at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek documented in publicly filed records
- Destroyer escorts (DE/FF) — diesel propulsion vessels with Engineman as the primary engineering rating
- Auxiliaries and service craft — diesel-powered tenders, tugs, and support vessels
Equipment regularly maintained by Enginemen with documented asbestos content:
| Equipment | Asbestos source |
|---|---|
| Diesel engine head and exhaust manifold gaskets | Compressed asbestos sheet (Garlock, John Crane, Victor) |
| Exhaust pipe insulation | Kaylo, Armstrong, Thermobestos pipe covering |
| Turbocharger insulation | Block insulation, asbestos cloth wrapping |
| Fuel system flanges | Sheet gaskets |
| Emergency diesel generator exhaust | Pipe covering, muffler insulation |
| Generator cooling system | Pump packing glands, flange gaskets |
Exposure Across Ship Types
Enginemen are distinguished from Boiler Tenders and Machinist’s Mates in that their asbestos exposure crossed hull types. An EN assigned to an aircraft carrier was responsible for emergency diesel maintenance even though the primary propulsion was steam — meaning Enginemen aboard steam-powered vessels had asbestos exposure on top of the ambient exposure in the shared engineering spaces.
On diesel-driven destroyer escorts, amphibious ships, and auxiliaries, the Engineman was the primary propulsion rating with continuous exposure in the engine room.
VA and Legal Options
The Engineman rating qualifies for VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) based on below-deck work in spaces with asbestos-containing insulation and regular hands-on contact with asbestos-containing gaskets and exhaust system insulation.
Key documents for an EN claim:
- DD-214 Block 11 — primary specialty showing EN rate
- Ship assignments from DD-214 or NARA records
- Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease
Civil claims may run against gasket manufacturers (Garlock, John Crane, Victor/Dana), pipe insulation manufacturers (Owens-Illinois/Kaylo, Armstrong), and engine manufacturers whose equipment used asbestos-containing parts.
Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956
All consultations are free. No fee unless a financial recovery is made on your behalf.
Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including deposition testimony from Navy Enginemen. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.