View source for Freewinds

{{short description|Church of Scientology's ship}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| display title = ital
| infobox caption = ''Freewinds''
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Aruba - Freewinds.jpg
| Ship caption = ''Freewinds'' berthed at [[Aruba]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship name = *1968&ndash;1985: ''Bohème''
*1985&ndash;onwards: '''''Freewinds'''''
| Ship owner = *1968&ndash;1981: [[Wallenius Bremen]]
*1981&ndash;1985: [[Hanseatic Caribbean Shipping Co]]
*1985 onwards: [[San Donato Properties Corporation]]<ref name=FoFen>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/extra_bilder/boheme_1968_ex_1.htm|title=M/S ''Bohème'' Cruise Ship Chronicles|access-date=2 January 2012|work=Fakta om Fartyg|archive-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818143839/http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/extra_bilder/boheme_1968_ex_1.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DNV">{{cite ship register |register=DNV |id=13706 |shipname=Freewinds |access-date=2008-04-12 }}</ref>
| Ship operator = *1968&ndash;1982: [[Commodore Cruise Line]]
*1982&ndash;1983: [[Saitecin Cruises]]
*1984: Commodore Cruise Line
*1984&ndash;1985: [[SeaEscape]]
*1985: Commodore Cruise Line
*1985-present: [[Majestic Cruise Lines]]<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFsv>{{cite web |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/boheme_1968.htm |title=M/S ''Bohème'' (1968) |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref>
| Ship registry = *1968&ndash;1981: [[Bremen]], {{Flag|West Germany}}
*1981&ndash;onwards: [[Panama City]], {{Flag|Panama}}<ref name=FoFsv /><ref name=DNV />
| Ship route = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = [[Wärtsilä]] [[Crichton-Vulcan|Turku Shipyard]], [[Turku]], Finland
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 1161<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 
| Ship launched = 12 February 1968<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship completed = 
| Ship christened = 
| Ship acquired = 12 November 1968<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship maiden voyage = November 1968<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship in service = 7 December 1968<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|6810811}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: H9CK
*{{MMSI|354993000}}
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = Active
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = (as built)<ref name=FoFen />
| Ship class = ''Finnhansa'' class passenger ship
| Ship tonnage = *{{GRT|10,328}}<ref name=FoFsv />
*{{DWT|7,500}}<ref name=FoFsv />
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|134.16|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|21.04|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{convert|5.50|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = *2 × [[Wärtsilä]]-[[Sulzer (manufacturer)|Sulzer]] 2SA 8RD56 diesels
*combined 10444 kW (14.000BHP)<ref name=FoFsv />
| Ship propulsion = Two propellers
| Ship speed = {{convert|20|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 540 passengers<ref name=FoFsv />
| Ship crew = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = (as ''Freewinds'')<ref name="DNV"/>
| Ship class = 
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|9,780}}
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|134.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|21.04|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{convert|5.748|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship depth = {{convert|7.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks = 
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 1A
| Ship power = 
| Ship propulsion = 
| Ship speed = 
| Ship capacity = 360 passengers<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isp-usa.com/fleet/freewinds/freewinds.html# |title=Fleet Information: M/V ''Freewinds'': Summary |access-date=2008-04-12 |publisher=[[International Shipping Partners]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329010523/http://www.isp-usa.com/fleet/freewinds/freewinds.html |archive-date=2008-03-29 }}</ref>
| Ship crew = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
'''MV ''Freewinds''''' is a former [[cruise ship]] operated by [[International Shipping Partners]] and owned by San Donato Properties, a company affiliated with the [[Church of Scientology]]. She was built in 1968 by [[Wärtsilä]] [[Crichton-Vulcan|Turku Shipyard]] in [[Turku]], [[Finland]], for [[Wallenius Lines]] as '''MS ''Bohème''''' for service with [[Commodore Cruise Line]]. She was the first cruise ship built in Finland. Her ownership passed to a Church of Scientology-controlled company in 1985.<ref name=FoFen />

==Concept and construction==
The ship that eventually became known as the ''Freewinds'' was originally ordered by the Sweden-based [[Lion Ferry]] as the second in a pair of two [[ropax|car/passenger]] [[ferry|ferries]] for use on their new [[Bremerhaven]] ([[West Germany]])–[[Harwich]] ([[United Kingdom]]) service, with provisions made for cruise service during the [[northern hemisphere]] winter season. The ships shared the same design as {{MS|Finnhansa|1966|2}} and {{MS|Finnpartner|1966|2}}, that were under construction for [[Finnlines]] at [[Wärtsilä]] [[Hietalahti shipyard|Helsinki Shipyard]] at the time.<ref name=FoFen /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/finnhansa_1966.htm |title=M/S ''Finnhansa'' (1966) |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/finnpartner_1966.htm |title=M/S ''Finnpartner'' (1966) |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref> The ships ordered by Lion Ferry were built at Wärtsilä's [[Crichton-Vulcan|Turku Shipyard]], and the first of them, {{MS|Prins Hamlet||2}}, was delivered to her owners on 14 May 1966.<ref name=FoFHamlet>{{cite web |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/prins_hamlet_1966.htm |title=M/S ''Prins Hamlet'' (1966) |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref> However, the passenger demand on the Bremerhaven–Harwich route proved to be insufficient for two ships, and Lion Ferry cancelled the order for a second ship, which was to be named "Prins Albert".<ref name=FoFen />

Meanwhile, the newly founded [[Commodore Cruise Line]] was looking for ships to operate on cruises around the [[Caribbean]].<ref name=Simplon>{{cite web |url=https://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CommodoreCruiseLine.html |title=Commodore Cruise Line |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards }}</ref> An agreement was reached where the build contract of the half-complete ship was sold to the Sweden-based [[Wallenius Lines]], which would have the ship completed as a cruise ship and, following completion, she would be chartered to Commodore Cruise Lines.<ref name=FoFen /> Following their tradition of naming ships after operas, Wallenius decided to name the ship ''Bohème'', after [[La bohème]].<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=Simplon /> Cabins were added in place of the car decks on the ship (although bow or stern doors were never fitted on her), and her superstructure was redesigned to better accommodate the need for sundeck space in the warmer climates.<ref name=FoFen /> ''Bohème'' was delivered to [[Wallenius Bremen]], Wallenius Lines' West Germany-based subsidiary, on 12 November 1968. She was registered in West Germany, with Bremerhaven as her home port.<ref name=FoFen />

==Service history==

===1968&ndash;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.<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFsv />

On 7 December 1968, the ''Bohème'' left on her first cruise from Miami to [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]. During her first year in service, the ship experienced notable air conditioning problems due to its shipyard's inexperience with ships destined for the warm Caribbean climate. As a result, she returned to Europe in 1980, sailing to the [[Blohm + Voss]] shipyard in [[Hamburg]], West Germany where the air conditioning system was rebuilt, and an additional [[screw compressor]] as well as two freshwater generators were installed. Following the rebuild, the ''Bohème'' re-entered service with a Miami–[[San Felipe de Puerto Plata|Puerto Plata]]–[[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]–[[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]]–[[Cap-Haïtien]]–Miami itinerary. She followed the same itinerary all year long, becoming the first ship to offer year-round seven-night cruises from Miami. She was also the first cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata and the first to offer regular sailings to Cap Haitien.<ref name=FoFen />

===1981&ndash;1986: Rederi Ab Sally ownership===
In March 1981, Commodore Cruise Line, as well as the ''Bohème'', were sold to the Finland-based [[Rederi Ab Sally]].<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=Simplon /> The new owners re-registered the ''Bohème'' in [[Panama]], leading to the resignation of most of the German officers due to worsened working conditions. The resigning officers were replaced with [[Scandinavia]]ns.<ref name=FoFen /> The following year, the German deck and engine crews were replaced by [[Filipino people|Filipinos]]. Originally, the new crew members were meant for {{MS|Navarino||2}}, a former [[ocean liner]] (ex Gripsholm 1957) Sally had purchased for conversion into service with Commodore Cruise Line. However, after the ''Navarino'' was severely damaged following the capsizing of its [[dry dock]], the conversion plans were abandoned.<ref name=FoFen /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faktaomfartyg.se/gripsholm_1957.htm |title=M/S ''Gripsholm'' (1957) |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thegreatoceanliners.com/gripsholm2.html |title=''Gripsholm'' (II)/''Navarino''/''Regent Sea'' |access-date=2008-04-12 |last=Othfors |first=Daniel |work=The Great Ocean Liners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091010101055/http://www.thegreatoceanliners.com/gripsholm2.html |archive-date=2009-10-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The crew already hired for the ''Navarino'' was transferred to the ''Bohème''.<ref name=FoFen />

Between November 1982 and August 1983, the ''Bohème'' was chartered to [[Brazilia]]-based [[Saitecin Cruises]] for cruises around South America. She also made one cruise from Miami under this charter.<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFsv /> Following this charter, the ship again returned to West Germany to be rebuilt, this time in [[Bremerhaven]], where two new diesel generators were installed and much of the interior decorations replaced. While in Bremerhaven, she also received a new external livery. On returning to service in 1984, the ''Bohème'' was placed on a new Miami–[[Port-au-Prince]]–[[Port Antonio]]–[[Grand Cayman]]–[[Cozumel]]–Miami itinerary. The schedule proved to be too tight to maintain, especially in poor weather conditions.<ref name=FoFen /> With engine problems causing further issues, this itinerary only lasted until November 1984, when the ship was chartered to [[SeaEscape]] for its Miami–[[Freeport, Bahamas|Freeport]] ferry service.<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFsv />

In February 1985, the ''Bohème'' returned to Commodore Cruise Line service. Her port of departure was changed to [[Saint Petersburg, Florida]], to better cater to the needs of Commodore's main clientele, retired people living on Florida's west coast. The ship's new seven-day itinerary was Saint Petersburg–[[Key West]]–[[Port Antonio]]–[[Cozumel]]–Saint Petersburg. The new route proved to be short-lived, as the ''Bohème'' was sold to [[San Donato Properties Corporation]] in September 1986 for US$10 million ({{Inflation|index=US|value=10000000|start_year=1986|r=-3|fmt=eq}}), to be converted for use with the Church of Scientology.<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFsv />

{{Anchor|Flag Ship Trust}}

===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:

{{Blockquote |text=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 [[L. Ron Hubbard]], the religion's founder, had researched and ministered the first [[OT level]]s aboard a ship in the late 1960s. A ship therefore would have particular religious significance to Scientologists.<ref name="fst1023">[http://www.xenufrance.net/fst-to-irs-1023.pdf Flag Ship Trust ''Application for Recognition of Exemption''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229075733/http://www.xenufrance.net/fst-to-irs-1023.pdf |date=2008-02-29 }}, IRS Form 1023, August 18, 1993</ref> }}

The [[Flag Ship Trust]] (FST) entity was formed in December 1985 with the aid of a US$5 million donation from the [[International Association of Scientologists]]. In September 1986, the FST purchased ''Bohème'', renamed her ''Freewinds'', and refitted her to enable use for Scientology purposes. Lawrence Woodcraft, a licensed British architect in the [[Sea Org]], was chosen by FST to be the "Chief Architect" of the ship. Upon arrival, Woodcraft discovered that he was not doing any design work but only producing working drawings of renderings and sketches by the "LRH Architects" Barry and Carol Stein (whom Woodcraft later found out were not licensed architects). The designs were full of functional defects, such as moving the dining room two decks up without the kitchen and replacing the existing dining room with a course room (causing disturbances from the noise from the kitchen). When Woodcraft pointed out such defects, he was overruled, and in the case of the restaurant, senior managers ordered an elevator to be installed, which required cutting through steel floors, threatening the ship's structural integrity. Woodcraft and the chief of the renovations, Steve Kozaki, were unsure about the composition of the walls. Kozaki slammed a hammer into a wall, releasing a powdery substance that Woodcraft immediately identified as [[asbestos]]. He later confirmed it when he found the original Finnish blueprints, which clearly labeled "asbestos" insulation all over the ship. Woodcraft confronted the Chief Engineer, Wack Alcock, who immediately denied having asbestos and claimed it was just "insulation." Woodcraft informed multiple people, who all disregarded his warnings, except Bitty Miscavige, the sister-in-law of Scientology head [[David Miscavige]], who supervised the project. Bitty immediately became concerned and tried to resolve the issue, but decided not to after Alcock could not find anything about asbestos in L Ron Hubbard's literature and reminded Bitty of Scientology doctrine, which held that cancer was caused by "[[Scientology beliefs and practices|sexual misconduct]]," not asbestos. Further damage was caused when one of Hubbard's writings was found to criticize fiberglass, as a consequence of which Sea Org ordered the removal of all the fiberglass protecting the ship from the Caribbean sun.<ref name="radarol">[http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/05/freewinds-asbestos-scientology-tom-cruise.php Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604163053/http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/05/freewinds-asbestos-scientology-tom-cruise.php |date=2008-06-04 }}</ref><ref name="Lawrence Woodcraft's video interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/freewinds-1.htm|title=Lawrence Woodcraft's talks about Blue Asbestos in 2001 video interview|work=Mark Bunker|publisher=Xenutv.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123224831/http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/freewinds-1.htm|archive-date=2009-01-23}}</ref>

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.<ref name="radarol"/>

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, [[Transcorp Services]], owns the mortgage on the ''Freewinds''. [[FSS Organization]] was a [[Netherlands Antilles]] corporation responsible for paying certain taxes on the vessel to the Netherlands Antilles authorities. Scientology courses are delivered aboard the vessel by the [[Flag Ship Service Organization]] (FSSO), in effect a floating branch of the Church of Scientology. [[Majestic Cruise Lines]] is a Panamanian corporation which operates the ''Freewinds'', receiving payment from FSSO for the use of the ship. [[MCL Services]] is a corporation in the Netherlands Antilles that provides shore support and liaison services for Majestic Cruise Lines and FSSO from the home port of the ''Freewinds'', [[Curaçao]].

Following the Church of Scientology's [[tax exemption]] agreement with the [[U.S. Internal Revenue Service]] in 1993, these arrangements were simplified. The responsibilities of the Majestic Cruise Lines were to be transferred to FSSO, with Majestic itself being dissolved, and FSS Organization being dissolved as it was no longer required for tax reporting purposes in the Netherlands Antilles.<ref name="fst1023" /> However, as of 1999 the Majestic company was continuing to bill visitors to the ''Freewinds''.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Caroline Letkeman |url=http://www.carolineletkeman.org/refund/docs/inv-1999-03-11-majestic-cruise-lines.html |title=Flag Ship Service Organization invoice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825194747/http://www.carolineletkeman.org/refund/docs/inv-1999-03-11-majestic-cruise-lines.html |archive-date=2006-08-25 }}</ref>

''Freewinds'' is the fifth ship to be owned by the Church of Scientology. The other four were {{HMS|Royal Scotsman||2}} (later ''Apollo''), ''[[Enchanter (ship)|Enchanter]]'' (later ''Diana''), ''[[Avon River (ship)|Avon River]]'' (later ''Athena''), and ''[[Nekambi]]'', all of which have apparently been scrapped.<ref>[[Russell Miller|Miller, R.]] (1987): [[Bare-faced Messiah]], Michael Joseph books, London. 380 pages [https://www.apologeticsindex.org/Bare%20Faced%20Messiah.pdf Full text]</ref> However, the nameplate of ''Diana'' has been preserved and is on display aboard ''Freewinds''. The church also operated two [[World War II]] surplus ships from the late 1960s until the early 1970s. These were ''Bolivar'', a subchaser, and T.S.M.Y. ''Excalibur''. Both of these vessels were docked at [[San Pedro, California]], and were used for training new Sea Org members.

==Scientology use==
''Freewinds'' is the exclusive training center for [[OT VIII]] ([[Operating Thetan]] Level 8), the [[Scientology beliefs and practices|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''.{{r|thebridge|cnn|ortega}}{{r|rinder|page=126}}

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.<ref>"The Freewinds Maiden Voyage XVII - The landmark cruise from which nothing will ever be the same again", ''Impact'' magazine no. 111, Oct 2005</ref>

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).{{r|lewis-ch3|p=63 |quote=In the manner of setting a place for Elijah at the Passover Seder, every Scientology org, large or small, maintains an office for Hubbard in perpetuity.}}

==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.<ref name="cannane">{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-28/woman-27imprisoned27-on-scientology-cruise-ship/3700390|title=Woman 'imprisoned' on Scientology cruise ship|last=Cannane|first=Steve|date=2011-11-28|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/tom-cruise-celebrated-his-birthday-scientology-cruise-ship-prison-video-377780|title=Tom Cruise Celebrated his Birthday on the Scientology Cruise Ship 'Prison' [VIDEO]|date=2011-12-02|website=International Business Times|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/11/valeska_paris_scientology_freewinds.php |title=Village Voice - Scientology Held Woman Aboard the Freewinds for 12 Years Against Her Will: Aussie TV |date=2011-11-28 |author=Tony Ortega |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201214921/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/11/valeska_paris_scientology_freewinds.php |archive-date=2011-12-01 |access-date=2011-12-05 }}</ref> and unable to leave the ship without an escort for six years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2011/12/valeska-paris-and-the-scientology-cruise-ship-what-happens-onboard.html|title=What Happens on a Scientology Cruise?|last=Palmer|first=Brian|date=2011-12-01|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/11/28/Woman-claims-Scientologists-kidnapped-her/89581322528985/|title=Woman claims Scientologists kidnapped her|website=UPI|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref>

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."<ref name="cannane"/> 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 [[First Amendment]], said Barber.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scientologists to rule on abuse claims against their church, judge says |date=April 3, 2023 |first=Tracey |last=McManus |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2023/04/03/church-of-scientology-david-miscavige-sea-org-first-amendment-human-trafficking/}}</ref>

==Environmental issues==
In April 2008, the ''Freewinds'' was shut down after [[Riebeckite#Crocidolite (fibrous riebeckite)|blue asbestos]] was discovered by government health inspectors<ref name=lloyd>{{cite news|last1=Nelson|first1=Rainbow|archive-date=9 June 2008|title=Asbestos scare seals off Scientology cruiseship|url=http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/asbestos-scare-seals-off-scientology-cruiseship/1210066179954.htm|work=Lloyd's List|publisher=Informa plc|date=7 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609193955/http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/asbestos-scare-seals-off-scientology-cruiseship/1210066179954.htm}}</ref> during maintenance by the Curaçao Drydock Company.<ref name="dailyherald" /><ref name="gray">{{cite web|url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/04/scientology-freewinds-asbestos-tom-cruise.php|title=Scandal on the Lido Deck: Scientology Cruise Ship Exposing Passengers to Asbestos?|work=Radar Online|publisher=[[Radar (magazine)|Radar Magazine]]|date=2008-04-30|access-date=2008-04-30|last=Gray|first=Tyler|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501090155/http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/04/scientology-freewinds-asbestos-tom-cruise.php|archive-date=2008-05-01}}</ref> Blue asbestos is the most dangerous form of asbestos, and the ship was reported to be "extensively contaminated".<ref name="insurancenewsnet">{{cite web|url=http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?n=1&neID=200805023600.3_33bc000d60868fe7|title=Curacao Dry dock Company: Scientology's Cruise Ship Sealed Due To Asbestos Danger|work=Insurance News Net|publisher=insurancenewsnet.com|access-date=2008-05-02|author=PressWIRE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029182317/http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.asp?n=1&neID=200805023600.3_33bc000d60868fe7 |archive-date=October 29, 2009}}</ref> 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."<ref name="insurancenewsnet" />

The discovery confirmed a 2001 allegation made by former Scientologist Lawrence Woodcraft, who had overseen the original renovation of the ''Freewinds'' in 1987.<ref name="radarol"/> The Captain also admitted that during previous maintenance performed by his personnel, asbestos was released into the ventilation system but not reported.<ref name="dailyherald">{{cite news  | last =Staff |title= Freewinds hides information about presence of asbestos | work =The Daily Herald ([[Willemstad]], [[Curaçao]]) | date =28 April 2008 }}</ref><ref name="gray" />

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."<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Cruise and Holmes in asbestos warning|work=[[Metro (Associated Metro Limited)|Metro]]|date=2008-05-15}}</ref> [[Karin Pouw]], spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, told ''[[Radar Magazine]]'' that the air quality on the ship was regularly tested and "always meets or exceeds US standards".<ref>[http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/05/freewinds-asbestos-scientology-tom-cruise.php Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604163053/http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/05/freewinds-asbestos-scientology-tom-cruise.php |date=2008-06-04 }}, Radar, By Tyler Gray 05/01/08 10:40 AM</ref> The Church contracted Nordica Engineering to perform renovations on the ''Freewinds'' and denied the presence of blue asbestos during talks. To remove material from the ship, Nordica brought in 240 Polish workers, who lived on the ''Freewinds'' for a month and a half. When workers told Nordica there was blue asbestos on the ship, they stopped renovations and workers returned to Poland. Witold Maliński stated that Nordica was looking to demand compensation on behalf of its workers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/kat,1342,title,Polscy-stoczniowcy-pozwa-Kosciol-Scjentologow,wid,10444891,wiadomosc.html |title=Polscy stoczniowcy pozwą Kościół Scjentologów? |access-date=2008-10-13 |last=Rusak |first=Paweł |date=2008-10-09 |publisher=[[Wirtualna Polska]] |language=pl}}</ref>

The ''Freewinds'' has been noted in [[Bonaire]] for the amount of waste water it dumps into the island's inland waste pit.<ref>{{cite news |first=George |last=DeSalvo |title=Flotsam and Jetsam |work=The Bonaire Reporter |date=2007-10-12 |page=5 |url=http://bonairereporter.com/news/007PDFs/10-12-07.pdf |access-date=2008-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512004702/http://bonairereporter.com/news/007PDFs/10-12-07.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=George |last=DeSalvo |author2=Laura DeSalvo |author3=David Radomisli |title=Flotsam and Jetsam |work=The Bonaire Reporter |date=2007-05-18 |page=3 |url=http://bonairereporter.com/news/007PDFs/05-18-07.pdf |access-date=2008-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509164507/http://www.bonairereporter.com/news/007PDFs/05-18-07.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/05/02/719452016/st-lucia-quarantines-cruise-ship-after-measles-case-occurs-onboard|title=St. Lucia Quarantines Cruise Ship After Measles Case Occurs Onboard|website=NPR|date=2 May 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-05-02|last1=Held|first1=Amy}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news |title=St Lucia quarantines US cruise ship over measles case |work=BBC News |date=2 May 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-48130848 |access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scientology cruise ship leaves Saint Lucia after measles quarantine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/may/03/scientology-cruise-ship-leaves-st-lucia-after-measles-quarantine |website=The Guardian |date=3 May 2019 |access-date=9 May 2019}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Sea Org Freewinds Deck.jpg|thumb|View of the upper decks of the ''Freewinds'']]
[[Image:Freewinds logo.jpg|thumb|Logo on the side of the ''Freewinds'', incorporating the [[Operating Thetan|OT]], [[Dianetics]], Scientology and Majestic Cruise Lines logos (centre, left, right and above, respectively).]]

===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 [[bridge (ship)|bridge]]), swimming pool added to the rear of promenade deck, and the observation lounge missing from the topmost deck; this was replaced by an open sunbathing area.

As built the ''Bohème'' was painted in [[Wallenius Lines]] livery, with an all-white hull and superstructure, yellow radar mast and yellow funnels with a wide horizontal green stripe painted on them and the letters OW (for [[Olof Wallenius]]) painted on the stripe. The ship only kept this livery until her first visit to Miami, where she was repainted in the [[Commodore Cruise Line]] livery, with white funnels and radar mast. A dark blue decorative stripe was later painted on the hull. During the 1983 refit the livery of the ''Bohème'' was more radically altered, when blue stripes were painted along the windows on main and promenade decks, as well as the bridge windows. The funnels were re-painted with a spray-shaped design in blue, red and yellow.<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=Simplon />

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''. [[Margareta Wallenius]] in particular involved herself in the ship's interior design, having her say in the materials used and works of art brought in from promising artists in Paris. Reflecting the company tradition of naming ships after operas, all public rooms on board were originally named after themes related to [[Puccini]]'s ''[[La bohème]]'', the opera that had given the ship its name.<ref name=FoFen />

Her sister ships were built for ferry service, and cabins were built on ''Bohème''<nowiki/>'s planned car-decks on B- and C-decks.<ref name="FoFen" /> The car decks had in fact been originally planned to accommodate temporary cabin modules during the winter when [[Lion Ferry]], the company that had originally ordered the ''Bohème'', planned to use her for cruising to the [[Canary Isles]].<ref name=FoFen /><ref name=FoFHamlet /> Additionally, a small gymnasium and cinema were added in place of the cargo hold on D-deck. All stairways and public rooms were panelled in light [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] woods, while the deluxe cabins received dark oak panelings. During the 1983 refit, much of the original panelling was replaced by colourful paintings or mirrors to give an increased sense of space. Similarly, much of the upholstery and carpets were replaced with more cheerfully colored ones.<ref name=FoFen />

==See also==
*[[List of cruise ships]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="cnn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/03/world/scientology-cruise-ship/index.html|title = Here's what happens on Scientology's cruise ship, the Freewinds. It sounds pretty intense|website = [[CNN]]|date = 3 May 2019 |first=Daniel |last=Burke}}</ref>

<ref name="lewis-ch3">{{cite book |title=Scientology |title-link=Scientology (Lewis book) |year=2009 |editor-first=James R. |editor-last=Lewis |editor-link=James R. Lewis (scholar) |isbn=9780199852321 |ol=16943235M |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |chapter=Researching Scientology: Perceptions, Premises, Promises, and Problematics |pages=53–80 |first=Douglas E. |last=Cowan |author-link=Douglas E. Cowan |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195331493.003.0004}}</ref>

<ref name="ortega">{{cite web|first=Tony|last=Ortega|author-link=Tony Ortega (journalist)|date=24 June 2014|title=UP THE BRIDGE: We finally reach 'OT 8' — but was its first version really a hoax?|url=https://tonyortega.org/2014/06/24/up-the-bridge-we-finally-reach-ot-8-but-was-its-first-version-really-a-hoax/|access-date=1 August 2016|website=tonyortega.org}}</ref>

<ref name="rinder">{{cite book |title=A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology |first=Mike |last=Rinder |author-link=Mike Rinder |year=2022 |publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]] |isbn=9781982185763}}</ref>

<ref name=thebridge>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part02/Chp06/img/grdchart.gif |title=The Bridge to Total Freedom : Scientology Classification Gradation and Awareness Chart of Levels and Certificates |type=chart |publisher=[[Church of Scientology]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073924/https://www.whatisscientology.org/html/Part02/Chp06/img/grdchart.gif |archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Wikinews|Asbestos controversy aboard Scientology ship Freewinds}}
{{Wikinews|Australian woman claims Church of Scientology imprisoned her for twelve years}}
* [https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:415694/mmsi:354993000/vessel:FREEWINDS/ AIS vessel data and current location]

{{Finnhansa class}}
{{Scientology properties}}
{{Scientology}}
{{2019 measles outbreaks}}

[[Category:Cruise ships]]
[[Category:Scientology organizations]]
[[Category:Ships built in Turku]]
[[Category:Scientology properties]]
[[Category:1968 ships]]
[[Category:2019–2020 measles outbreaks]]