Why is Mercury not allowed on Naval vessels?

Answer 1

Bad experiences by the Navy with mercury exposure in subs during WWII. Mercury is volatile at room temperatures and in a closed environment like a ship it can be steadily absorbed into the bodies of the crew. The term "mad as a hatter" describes the psychotic condition resulting from absorbing mercury.

Answer 2

Mercury readily combines with aluminium to form a mercury-aluminum amalgam when the two pure metals come into contact. However, when the amalgam is exposed to air, the aluminium oxidizes, leaving behind mercury. The oxide flakes away, exposing more mercury amalgam, which repeats the process. This process continues until the supply of amalgam is exhausted, and since it releases mercury, a small amount of mercury can “eat through” a large amount of aluminium over time, by progressively forming amalgam and relinquishing the aluminium as oxide.

Aluminium in air is ordinarily protected by a molecule-thin layer of its own oxide, which is not porous to oxygen. Mercury coming into contact with this oxide does no harm. However, if any elemental aluminium is exposed (even by a recent scratch), the mercury may combine with it, starting the process described above, and potentially damaging a large part of the aluminium before it finally ends (Ornitz 1998).

For this reason, restrictions are placed on the use and handling of mercury in proximity with aluminium. In particular, mercury is not allowed aboard aircraft under most circumstances because of the risk of it forming amalgam with exposed aluminium parts in the aircraft.

Answer 3

It's an entire planet and they would have trouble finding room to fit it onto a Naval vessel.

Answer 4

You are getting a guess: Hg is not a good thing for the human organism. Ships are (at least partly) an enclosed environment. Increased risk of concentrated doses...?

Answer 5

despite the thumbs down, Gabriel is right