The amphibious assault ship, known as Saipan is one of the Tarawa-class big –deck gators, has started her last trip to the sea on Wednesday, a trip that will end at the scrap yard. After almost 30 years in service The Saipan, was decommissioned and stricken, in 2007 form the Naval Vessel, because it represents a big risk for people working on the Siapan, a health risk concerning the exposure of asbestos, to be more specific exposure to mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos exposure is related to asbestosis which is mesothelioma cancer, a form of cancer that affects many people in the United States.

Other ships were sunk, like Belleau Wood, but Peleliu and Nassau are still in service.
The Saipan, which is 28,000 tones, will arrive in Brownsville, Texas, in November, and some workers form International Shipbreaking will start carving the ship.

It will be a big operation but it is necessary to do so for the well being of the nation.
Dangerous materials, containing asbestos will be removed in safety conditions for the scrapped workers, and some parts of the ship will be returned to US Navy.
The Saipan is the first Tarawa-class big-deck to be ever scrapped and is the largest ship ever scrapped by International Shipbreaking.

Asbestos was usually used in shipbuilding constructions. Many used components contained asbestos fibers. Asbestos was used because it has important proprieties like resistance to fire, water, and corrosion. Shipyards workers were permanently exposed to
risk of developing mesothelioma, an asbestos related disease. Decommission of The Saipan is the best thing to do for the well being of the people.