Navy Military Sealift Command

Military Sealift Command is a fleet of vessels that is a responsible for the replenishment and supply of the majority of naval ships at sea. The organization was born in 1949 as the Military Sea Transportation Service and was renamed Military Sealift Command in 1970. The MSC is a civilian manned organization that is the Department of Defense’s sole provider and transporter for naval vessels.

The MSC form a crucial component of naval operations as many vessels are away at sea for many months and lack the ability to replenish food and fuel without the assistance of the MSC. These vessels can perform nearly any duty they are commissioned to do, including the replenishment of carriers and submarines in remote locations across the globle.

The U.S. Navy would not be the power that it is without the support of the MSC. Unfortunately, many MSC vessels contained harmful levels of asbestos. Asbestos was used in nearly all facets of ship construction, but was most common around piping, boiler units, and electrical fixtures. Asbestos exposures are common aboard both naval and civilian vessels, including those of the MSC fleet. For more information regarding asbestos exposure aboard MSC ships, please examine our index of vessels below.

Military Sealift Command Listing

Last modified: December 09 2009.