USS Mauna Kea (AE-22)

The USS Mauna Kea (AE-22) was one of the United States Navy’s two Suribachi-class ammunition ships, which are frequently considered to be of the same class as the Navy’s three Nitro-class ammo ships. The Mauna Kea and her sister ships were among the first purpose-built replenishment vessels that the Navy commissioned following World War II.

The USS Mauna Kea was built in 1955 by the Bethlehem-Sparrows Point Shipyard at Sparrows Point, Maryland and commissioned on March 30, 1957. Following her initial shakedown and training cruises in the Atlantic, the Mauna Kea was deployed to the Pacific to serve with Service Squadron 1. The USS Mauna Kea served off the west coast for seven years before being assigned to Seattle for an overhaul and upgrade. While in Seattle, the Mauna Kea docked at the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company’s corporate facility.

The vessel’s overhaul also included a major conversion to a Fast Automatic Shuttle Transfer system (FAST) and the entire process took nearly 18 months. The extensive overhaul and modernization plan required workers to modify numerous areas of the Mauna Kea’s hull, which may have disturbed asbestos-containing materials and exposed many to the toxic substance. The shipyard workers at the Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company managed to have the Mauna Kea ready for service in the fall of 1966.

Vietnam War Service

The Mauna Kea was deployed to Vietnam at the end of 1966. While serving with distinction during the Vietnam War, the vessel resupplied hundreds of Navy vessels and earned a total of 12 campaign stars during the conflict. Although she was never involved in direct combat during the Vietnam War, the Mauna Kea was never far from danger.

The Mauna Kea continued to serve in the Navy’s Pacific Fleet until her decommissioning on June 30, 1995. The vessel was then placed into the Pacific Reserve Fleet for several years, before finally being sunk as a target ship in July 2006.

Asbestos Risks

Asbestos was often used on ships such as the USS Mauna Kea in order to insulate and fireproof materials onboard. Unfortunately, using asbestos has caused thousands of past shipyard workers and crew members to develop asbestos-related diseases from being exposed to asbestos. Boiler rooms and engine rooms were two of the most common areas for asbestos exposure. In addition to these locations, pipes, walls and ceilings insulated with asbestos often exposed crew members as well.

Exposure to asbestos has been linked to several serious illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The latter is especially harmful due to the latency period for symptoms to arrive. In most cases, symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 20 to 50 years to develop, leaving patients completely unaware of their condition. By the time the majority of patients are diagnosed, the cancer has often reached the advanced stages of development.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, you may have legal options for compensation. Many have received financial assistance to help cover medical costs, lost income and any other expenses. For more information about compensation and treatment options, please click here to receive a complimentary informational packet.

Sources:

Auxiliary Vessels Index