It’s a clear case of good news and bad news.

If you yearn to study Scientology while taking a cruise, here’s the perfect ship: the Freewinds.  The Church of Scientology decided to get into the passenger shipping business and formed Majestic Cruise Line to operate its sole ship.  Built in 1968, the Freewinds sails on Caribbean itineraries as a “floating classroom” where members can take the church’s advanced classes although the ship was a setting for a huge birthday bash for actor Tom Cruise.

The bad news is that the ship was shut down this month because blue asbestos (which causes cancer) was discovered in the ceiling and panelling.  It is presently sitting in the Curacao Drydock Company sealed and isolated by local health officials until it is determined that the toxin can even be removed from the ship.  

According to Wikipedia, in 2001 an architect submitted a sworn affadavit claiming there was blue asbestos on the Freewinds.  In Curacao the ship’s Captain admitted that during previous maintenace by his personnel asbestos was released into the ventilation system but not reported.

Since Freewinds does not enter a U.S. port, the ship would not be inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Previously officials in Bonaire cited the Freewinds as an environmental hazard because the ship discharged large amounts of waste water into the islands inland waste pit.

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