Nuclear-trained Electrician’s Mates (EM(N)) — Electrician’s Mates who completed the nuclear power training pipeline — served aboard nuclear-powered submarines and surface vessels maintaining the electrical power generation systems, main propulsion motor control systems, and electrical distribution systems of nuclear propulsion plants. EM(N) ratings operated and maintained the ship’s service turbine generators (SSTGs), turbo-electric propulsion motor systems, and the complex electrical distribution systems serving both propulsion and hotel load requirements aboard nuclear submarines, carriers, and cruisers. Nuclear-trained Electrician’s Mates working in the electrical machinery spaces and turbine generator rooms of nuclear vessels commissioned during the transitional asbestos phase-out era accumulated background asbestos exposure from any asbestos-containing insulation and construction materials present in the nuclear vessel engineering spaces.

Nuclear Vessel Electrical Machinery Space Asbestos

EM(N) ratings in nuclear vessel electrical spaces accumulated background asbestos:

  • Ship’s service turbine generator (SSTG) room construction — the SSTG rooms aboard nuclear submarines and carriers housing the turbine generators providing ship’s service electrical power were constructed within the submarine or carrier hull structure using construction materials consistent with each vessel’s construction period. Nuclear submarines and carriers commissioned in the 1960s and early 1970s incorporated construction materials that may have included asbestos-containing insulation in some SSTG room construction applications consistent with the construction specifications of the period. EM(N) ratings working in SSTG rooms performing turbine generator maintenance accumulated background asbestos exposure from any asbestos-containing materials in the SSTG room construction
  • Propulsion motor room construction — nuclear submarine propulsion motor rooms housing the main propulsion motors were constructed within the submarine pressure hull using interior construction materials consistent with the submarine’s construction period. Nuclear submarines commissioned in the 1960s and early 1970s incorporated interior construction materials that may have included asbestos-containing insulation in motor room construction. EM(N) ratings performing propulsion motor maintenance in submarine motor rooms worked in proximity to the motor room construction materials throughout their maintenance duties

Nuclear Vessel Electrical Component Asbestos

EM(N) ratings maintaining nuclear vessel electrical systems encountered asbestos:

  • Main switchboard and distribution panel wiring insulation — the main switchboards and electrical distribution panels aboard nuclear submarines and carriers commissioned in the 1960s and early 1970s incorporated electrical wiring with insulation materials consistent with the mid-twentieth century electrical manufacturing specifications of the construction period. EM(N) ratings performing switchboard and distribution panel maintenance encountered electrical wiring insulation materials in the main power distribution equipment during maintenance and repair operations
  • High-power electrical motor winding insulation — the large electrical motors used for propulsion, pumping, and ventilation on nuclear vessels incorporated motor winding insulation materials consistent with the motor manufacturing practice of the installation period. EM(N) ratings performing motor maintenance and motor replacement operations on nuclear vessel electrical motors encountered motor winding insulation materials during motor maintenance

VA Claims for Nuclear-Trained Electrician’s Mates

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy nuclear propulsion service. Nuclear-trained Electrician’s Mates who served aboard nuclear-powered submarines, carriers, or surface combatants and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.