Mare Island Naval Shipyard

Mare Island Naval Shipyard is located on the outskirts of San Francisco in the city of Vallejo. The United States Navy established the shipyard in 1853, making it the oldest base on the west coast. Approximately 2,500 acres of the 4,300-acre island was used for naval activity.

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was developed to maintain, overhaul and refuel ships for nuclear powered vessels; to provide logistical support; and provide services for other Navy functions. The first ship, the Civil War gunboat “Saginaw,” was built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1859.

Asbestos Exposure at Mare Island Naval Shipyard

The long history of military and shipyard activity at Mare Island put hundreds of employees at risk for exposure to hazardous substances and materials, such as asbestos. Many workers at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard were continuously exposed to asbestos fibers and some of them became ill with diseases such as mesothelioma from inhaling and ingesting the substance.

Cases of Mesothelioma in Shipyard Workers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by first and second hand exposure to asbestos. The disease takes decades to produce symptoms, and by the time a diagnosis is made, the cancer is usually at an advanced stage and the patient has a poor prognosis.

Many of the products that were used for shipbuilding typically contained asbestos because of its heat-resistant properties, and many workers from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Contact Us for Assistance

If you are a former shipyard worker who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or fear you could potentially have the illness, contact us today—we'll help you learn more about some of the resources available to you.