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June 7., 2008: Scientology luxury cruise ship remains locked down; Cult put thousands at high cancer risk Source: Huliq.com
Six weeks after public health authorities on the Caribbean island of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) impounded the Scientology cult's 440-foot luxury liner "Freewinds," the ship remains locked down. Experts advise that decontaminating the ship would cost millions of dollars and may not even be possible. Meanwhile, the cult continues to solicit funds for cruises that will not happen.
After the ship was quarantined on April 26, the Curaçao Drydock Company was contracted to carry out refurbishment and repairs. The contamination was so extensive that the company decided that the risk to its workers was too great, and ceased operations. At that point Scientology sent a team of its "Sea Org" internal paramilitary force to clean the ship themselves. They are bringing the blue asbestos by the truckload to dump at the island's Selikor landfill site at Malpais.
Incredibly, top leaders of the Scientology cult were informed of the pervasive contamination back in 1987, but chose to do nothing. Until the 1960s, when the Freewinds was built, blue asbestos was often used in shipbuilding (it was not known at the time to be so carcinogenic). Former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft, a licensed architect by profession, supervised interior remodeling work on the ship in 1987 when the cult first purchased it. According to a legal affidavit made after Woodcraft left the cult in 2001, Woodcraft had notified Scientology officials immediately about the widespread blue asbestos and the dangers it posed. The response he received was that he should carry on with the work, and leave the asbestos where it was. Since Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard had never mentioned that asbestos was dangerous, they were not going to worry about it. Scientologists believe that disease is caused not by microbes or toxic substances, but by the presence of "suppressive persons" (SPs), or people who disagree with Scientology and its goals. Moreover, Scientologists believe that high-level Sea Org members cannot get cancer or any other disease.
May 1., 2008: Scientology Asbestos Ship Quarantined, Thousands May Have Suffered Exposure
Source: News Blaze
MV Freewinds is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Church of Scientology under the name 'Majestic Cruise Lines'. Thousands of people have been aboard the MV Freewinds after paying to attend Scientology courses, training services and functions.
As of April 28, 2008, the MV Freewinds has been sealed and quarantined at the Mathey warf in Otrobanda, Cura�ao, Netherlands Antilles, following the discovery of significant amounts of blue asbestos in the ship's structure. A statement from the ship's captain has revealed previous incidents where blue asbestos was released into the ship's ventilation system. The Cura�ao Drydock Company (CDM) was contracted to conduct refurbishment and repairs on the MV Freewinds, but has ceased work due to the risk of exposure to the asbestos.
CDM interim director Frank Esser and deputy head of the Department of Labour Affairs Christiene van der Biezen were accompanied by two inspectors and the head of the local Health Department, Tico Ras. Samples taken from the paneling last week by inspectors showed that they contained significant amounts of blue asbestos. After an extraordinary meeting, the Executive Council decided to inform the public in general about the incident to avoid rumors and panic.
Anyone who has been aboard MV Freewinds may wish to see their doctor to assess their level of exposure, and commence appropriate health monitoring and management.
Seven years ago, allegations were made that Scientologists aboard the Freewinds were being put at risk of asbestos exposure. An affidavit filed in 2001 by Lawrence Woodcraft, a former Scientologist and trained architect, claims that Woodcraft encountered the blue asbestos while working on the ship in 1987, and promptly informed Scientology leaders. It appears that for over 21 years, the Church of Scientology has knowingly exposed passengers to what is generally considered the most lethal form of asbestos.
Six weeks after public health authorities on the Caribbean island of Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles) impounded the Scientology cult's 440-foot luxury liner "Freewinds," the ship remains locked down. Experts advise that decontaminating the ship would cost millions of dollars and may not even be possible. Meanwhile, the cult continues to solicit funds for cruises that will not happen.
MV Freewinds is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Church of Scientology under the name 'Majestic Cruise Lines'. Thousands of people have been aboard the MV Freewinds after paying to attend Scientology courses, training services and functions.