Bremerton Naval Shipyard (Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton) once relied on asbestos for its affordability, resistance to heat and fire, and ease of use. As convenient as it was, asbestos led to harmful exposure. Some workers later developed serious illnesses, such as asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma.
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About Bremerton Naval Shipyard
Although once known as Bremerton Navy Yard or Naval Shipyard, today this facility is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. It is located near Bremerton, Washington, and has been previously called Navy Yard Puget Sound and Bremerton Naval Complex.
The current facility is one of the largest industrial installations in the state. It is the largest Naval shore facility in the Pacific Northwest. It is the only facility in the U.S. certified to recycle nuclear ships. It is home to several vessels of the U.S. Navy reserve fleet.
Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Shipyard History
Bremerton Naval Shipyard was established in 1891 when the U.S. Navy activated it for repair work. Eventually, it would add shipbuilding to its regular operations.
During World War I, it built seven submarines, 25 subchasers, and several other vessels vital to the war effort.
The facility switched back to ship repair remained the most important work done at Puget Sound. During World War II, it was the only facility in the U.S. large enough to house and repair battleships and other big vessels.
By the start of the Korean War, the shipyard began building vessels again and also, modernized carriers, and activated new Navy ships.
Puget Sound made repairs to the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Sculpin, in 1965. The facility continues to recycle nuclear-powered ships today.
How Did Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Yard Use Asbestos?
Bremerton Naval Shipyard used asbestos materials in nearly everything it did. This was typical in all shipyards in the middle of the 20th century.
Shipbuilding and repair used asbestos mostly for its insulating and fireproofing properties. The safety of crew on ships depends on managing heat and reducing the risk of fire. Asbestos was also abundant and inexpensive. Both civilian and Naval shipbuilding used asbestos liberally for decades.
Some of the many ship components with asbestos used at Bremerton Puget Sound include:
- Insulation
- Pipe lagging
- Cement
- Boilers
- Gaskets
- Valves
- Seals
- Textiles
- Adhesives
- Firefighting gear
- Ceiling panels
- Flooring tiles
Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Bremerton Naval Yard?
Anyone who served or worked at Bremerton Puget Sound during the years of asbestos use was at risk of exposure. Asbestos materials shed tiny fibers. Anyone in the vicinity can inhale those fibers, which cause damage inside the body. This leads to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis in some people.
Workers at greatest risk were those who handled and manipulated asbestos products. Insulation workers and pipe laggers, for instance, cut asbestos insulation and pipe wrap, releasing fibers.
Bremerton Naval Shipyard Designated as Superfund Site
Bremerton Naval Shipyard used asbestos for various products, equipment, and machinery for many decades. The shipyard became aware of the hazards of asbestos in the 1940s. Yet, a spokesperson for Bremerton said there was not enough for anyone to be fully aware of how hazardous it was.
The EPA first considered designating the shipyard as a Superfund site in 1993. This was after the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency fined the facility $300,000 in 1992 for asbestos issues and violations.
Along with thousands of workers placed at risk, anyone who lived in the general area was susceptible to inhaling deadly asbestos fibers on any given day. According to the EPA, up to 50,000 people live within a mile of the shipyard.
As of 2023, the cleanup of the site is ongoing. It is not yet approved for anticipated reuse, although the cleanup in some areas is complete.
Bremerton Naval Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuits and Investigations
Court documents indicate that many workers have sued the asbestos manufacturers that shipped products to Bremerton Naval Shipyard.
Uniroyal, an asbestos cloth manufacturer, faced many mesothelioma lawsuits and other asbestos-related claims after supplying the shipyard with numerous asbestos products.
One of these lawsuits was filed against Uniroyal by the son of Gary Allen, a former civilian worker at Bremerton. He died of asbestos-related lung cancer. The courts initially dismissed the lawsuit, but an appeals court overturned the dismissal.
Another lawsuit involved Vernon Braaten, who worked as a pipefitter for his entire career at Bremerton. As part of his job, he had to cut into asbestos pipe insulation. Braaten’s case helped prove that the manufacturers of pipes and insulation had a duty to warn workers of the risks associated with their products.
Bremerton Naval Shipyard Today
Bremerton Naval Shipyard is now known as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).
According to the U.S. Navy, the shipyard offers the Navy support via technical assistance, logistics support, vessel maintenance and modernization, and engineering assistance. The shipyard, situated on over 170 acres, employs close to 12,000 people.
If you worked at Bremerton, you might be eligible for compensation. Talk to an asbestos attorney about your options.
Additional Help and Resources for Asbestos Victims
Keep in mind that you may qualify for significant compensation if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area.
