Freewinds
Freewinds berthed at Aruba
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History | |
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Name |
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Owner |
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Operator |
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Port of registry |
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Builder | Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard, Turku, Finland |
Yard number | 1161[3] |
Launched | 12 February 1968[3] |
Acquired | 12 November 1968[3] |
Maiden voyage | November 1968[3] |
In service | 7 December 1968[3] |
Identification |
|
Status | Active |
General characteristics (as built)[3] | |
Class and type | Finnhansa class passenger ship |
Tonnage | |
Length | 134.16 m (440 ft 2 in) |
Beam | 21.04 m (69 ft 0 in) |
Draught | 5.50 m (18 ft 1 in) |
Installed power | |
Propulsion | Two propellers |
Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
Capacity | 540 passengers[1] |
General characteristics (as Freewinds)[2] | |
Tonnage | 9,780 GT |
Length | 134.32 m (440 ft 8 in) |
Beam | 21.04 m (69 ft 0 in) |
Draught | 5.748 m (18 ft 10.3 in) |
Depth | 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in) |
Ice class | 1A |
Capacity | 360 passengers[4] |
MV Freewinds is a former
Concept and construction
The ship that eventually became known as the Freewinds was originally ordered by the Sweden-based
Meanwhile, the newly founded
Service history
1968–1981: Wallenius Lines ownership
Following delivery the Bohème sailed to Stockholm, the location of Wallenius Lines' headquarters, for a presentation to invited guests. On departing Stockholm for Miami she carried her first paying passengers on board. Her maiden voyage was cut short however, as she hit an underwater cliff outside Dalarö in the Stockholm Archipelago. The cliff breached the ship's hull and fuel tanks. Lifeboats were used to evacuate all passengers from the listing ship, and three days later she was refloated and towed to the Finnboda shipyard in Nacka for week-long repairs. After the repairs she again left for Miami, this time without passengers.[3][1]
On 7 December 1968, the Bohème left on her first cruise from Miami to
1981–1986: Rederi Ab Sally ownership
In March 1981, Commodore Cruise Line, as well as the Bohème, were sold to the Finland-based
Between November 1982 and August 1983, the Bohème was chartered to
In February 1985, the Bohème returned to Commodore Cruise Line service. Her port of departure was changed to
1986 onwards: Scientology acquisition and ownership
In 1984, the Church of Scientology's parent body, the Church of Scientology International (CSI), decided to acquire a ship on which to deliver high-level Scientology courses. According to a statement by the Church:
CSI believed that an ocean-going vessel would be the most appropriate facility for ministering New OT VIII because this advanced level of religious service requires a completely safe, aesthetic and distraction-free environment and because
OT levels aboard a ship in the late 1960s. A ship therefore would have particular religious significance to Scientologists.[11]
The
Once construction started, Woodcraft witnessed how Sea Org members without experience in maritime engineering or interior design were brought without pay, carelessly ripping into the interiors, ventilation, and plumbing, releasing asbestos all over the ship. Many Sea Org members were covered head-to-toe with asbestos, with one individual, after being warned about it by Woodcraft, dismissing his concern and biting into the asbestos. The ship's construction fell vastly behind schedule and over budget, so Scientology management contracted "CCL," a professional ship refitting company based out of Southampton working primarily in Miami. Upon arrival, CCL Engineers were shocked and outraged by the ship's condition and the asbestos contamination, threatening to report them to the authorities. Scientology management allegedly paid CCL extra money, fearing a significant public relations issue. They compromised to have Sea Org members spray contaminated areas with water in a useless attempt to prevent the asbestos from becoming airborne. Eventually, relations with CCL broke down, and they left without performing any work. It was then decided to recruit non-Sea Org Scientologists with the necessary skills to complete the construction. The vessel was placed back into service in June 1988.[12]
The ownership and management of the vessel was organized through a complicated web of Scientology-run corporations and entities, most of which are owned by the FST. It is owned by San Donato Properties, a Panamanian corporation of which FST is the sole shareholder. Another FST-owned Panamanian corporation,
Following the Church of Scientology's
Freewinds is the fifth ship to be owned by the Church of Scientology. The other four were
Scientology use
Freewinds is the exclusive training center for OT VIII (Operating Thetan Level 8), the highest level of Scientology and the last of the published OT levels. Members of the Church of Scientology who have reached the highest levels must receive their training on the Freewinds.[16]
Besides the OT VIII training, Freewinds is used for delivering lower-level classes, auditing services, and recreational activities for Scientologists. The ship hosts a "Freewinds Maiden Voyage" each June as an "OT Summit" for high-ranking Scientologists at which Scientology accomplishments and plans for the future are celebrated.[17]
A significant portion of the ship is given over to its use as a religious retreat for Scientologists. In addition to various course rooms and a library of L. Ron Hubbard books, Freewinds has areas given over to the Religious Technology Center, Sea Org and International Association of Scientologists. As is common practice in other Scientology organizations, the ship also has an "LRH Office" symbolically set aside for L. Ron Hubbard's use (Hubbard died in January 1986, approximately nine months before the vessel was purchased).
Other uses
Freewinds often hosts local functions in the ports it frequents, such as jazz concerts and movie performances in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. These events are usually free but often support island charities through entrance fees or suggested donations.[18] Local artists are often showcased. It also caters to different international conferences and events. The ship's leisure facilities include a restaurant, lounge, cabaret, swimming pool, movie theater and beauty salon.
Allegations of abuse onboard
In 2011, former Sea Org member Valeska Paris reported that she had been imprisoned onboard Freewinds to prevent her from leaving Scientology, after joining at age 14.[19][20] Once she was taken to the ship, expecting to be onboard two weeks, Paris said her passport was taken from her, after which she was held against her will, forced into manual labor for 12 years,[21] and unable to leave the ship without an escort for six years.[22][23]
Her story was corroborated by a former Sea Org member who said "[Valeska] made it very clear she did not want to be there. She had been sent to the ship so as not to be in contact with one of her parents and that's not what she wanted, she was very, very distressed."[19] The Church of Scientology has denied the claims.
In 2022, Valeska Paris, along with Gawain Baxter and his wife Laura Baxter, filed a related lawsuit against the Church of the Scientology. On April 3, six weeks after the magistrate ruled Miscavige as served, US District Judge Tom Barber ruled that the plaintiffs must seek relief from Church arbitration and not the courts. Some of the plaintiffs' arguments were dismissed because ruling on them would require the courts to interpret religious doctrine, which is inconsistent with the
Environmental issues
In April 2008, the Freewinds was shut down after blue asbestos was discovered by government health inspectors[25] during maintenance by the Curaçao Drydock Company.[26][27] Blue asbestos is the most dangerous form of asbestos, and the ship was reported to be "extensively contaminated".[28] According to InsuranceNewsNet, "Decontamination, if it is even possible, is likely to cost tens of millions of dollars and would result in the ship being in dry dock for many months."[28]
The discovery confirmed a 2001 allegation made by former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft, who had overseen the original renovation of the Freewinds in 1987.[12] The Captain also admitted that during previous maintenance performed by his personnel, asbestos was released into the ventilation system but not reported.[26][27]
The Church of Scientology denied that there is an asbestos problem, commenting in May 2008 that "there is not now and never has been a situation of asbestos exposure on the Freewinds."
The Freewinds has been noted in Bonaire for the amount of waste water it dumps into the island's inland waste pit.[32][33]
2019 measles quarantine
In May 2019, the Freewinds was placed in quarantine by the island of Saint Lucia during a visit, after a confirmed case of measles on board.[34] Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, Saint Lucia's chief medical officer, said in a statement: "Because of the risk of potential infection, not just from the confirmed measles case but from other persons who may be on the boat at the time, we thought it prudent to make a decision not to allow anyone to disembark."[35]
The ship left Saint Lucia on 2 May en route to its home port of Curaçao. The measles case was identified as a female crew member.[36]
Design
Exterior design
The exterior design of the Bohème/Freewinds is very similar to the Finnhansa-class ships built as ferries. She has a moderately raked and slightly rounded bow, rounded forward superstructure, terraced rear superstructure and two slim side-by-side funnels. She differs from her sisters with the superstructure expanding further on promenade deck (on the other ships it only extends as far as the
As built the Bohème was painted in
Following acquisition by the Church of Scientology the ship's external appearance was changed slightly from the final Commodore livery; the Freewinds received dark blue funnels with the Majestic Cruise Lines logo on them, while an intricate combination of Scientology-related symbols was painted on both sides of the hull (pictured on the right). Additionally three decorative ribands were painted on the side of the hull towards the rear.
Interior design
Members of the Wallenius family were heavily involved in the interior design of the Bohème.
Her sister ships were built for ferry service, and cabins were built on Bohème's planned car-decks on B- and C-decks.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Asklander, Micke. "M/S Bohème (1968)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Freewinds (13706)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "M/S Bohème Cruise Ship Chronicles". Fakta om Fartyg. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- International Shipping Partners. Archived from the originalon March 29, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Finnhansa (1966)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Finnpartner (1966)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ a b Asklander, Micke. "M/S Prins Hamlet (1966)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Boyle, Ian. "Commodore Cruise Line". Simplon Postcards. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ Asklander, Micke. "M/S Gripsholm (1957)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ Othfors, Daniel. "Gripsholm (II)/Navarino/Regent Sea". The Great Ocean Liners. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
- ^ a b Flag Ship Trust Application for Recognition of Exemption Archived 2008-02-29 at the Wayback Machine, IRS Form 1023, August 18, 1993
- ^ a b c Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds Archived 2008-06-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Lawrence Woodcraft's talks about Blue Asbestos in 2001 video interview". Mark Bunker. Xenutv.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009.
- ^ Caroline Letkeman, Flag Ship Service Organization invoice Archived 2006-08-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Miller, R. (1987): Bare-faced Messiah, Michael Joseph books, London. 380 pages Full text
- ^ "Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization - All Are Welcome!".
- ^ "The Freewinds Maiden Voyage XVII - The landmark cruise from which nothing will ever be the same again", Impact magazine no. 111, Oct 2005
- ^ "The Bonaire Insider - InfoBonaire". www.bonaireinsider.com.
- ^ a b Cannane, Steve (November 28, 2011). "Woman 'imprisoned' on Scientology cruise ship". ABC News. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Tom Cruise Celebrated his Birthday on the Scientology Cruise Ship 'Prison' [VIDEO]". International Business Times. December 2, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Tony Ortega (November 28, 2011). "Village Voice - Scientology Held Woman Aboard the Freewinds for 12 Years Against Her Will: Aussie TV". Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ Palmer, Brian (December 1, 2011). "What Happens on a Scientology Cruise?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ "Woman claims Scientologists kidnapped her". UPI. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ McManus, Tracey (April 3, 2023). "Scientologists to rule on abuse claims against their church, judge says". Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ Nelson, Rainbow (May 7, 2008). "Asbestos scare seals off Scientology cruiseship". Lloyd's List. Informa plc. Archived from the original on June 9, 2008.
- ^ a b Staff (April 28, 2008). "Freewinds hides information about presence of asbestos". The Daily Herald (Willemstad, Curaçao).
- ^ Radar Magazine. Archived from the originalon May 1, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
- ^ a b PressWIRE. "Curacao Dry dock Company: Scientology's Cruise Ship Sealed Due To Asbestos Danger". Insurance News Net. insurancenewsnet.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
- Metro.
- ^ Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds Archived 2008-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, Radar, By Tyler Gray 05/01/08 10:40 AM
- ^ Rusak, Paweł (October 9, 2008). "Polscy stoczniowcy pozwą Kościół Scjentologów?" (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- ^ DeSalvo, George (October 12, 2007). "Flotsam and Jetsam" (PDF). The Bonaire Reporter. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
- ^ DeSalvo, George; Laura DeSalvo; David Radomisli (May 18, 2007). "Flotsam and Jetsam" (PDF). The Bonaire Reporter. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 9, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
- ^ Held, Amy (May 2, 2019). "St. Lucia Quarantines Cruise Ship After Measles Case Occurs Onboard". NPR.org. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ^ "St Lucia quarantines US cruise ship over measles case". BBC News. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- ^ "Scientology cruise ship leaves Saint Lucia after measles quarantine". The Guardian. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.