Glosslip Exclusive: Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Hides Asbestos Danger
Image courtesy of Neogaf.com
Breaking News: The Scientology cruise ship, the Freewinds is at the center of a scandal in the Caribbean today because of dangerous levels of blue asbestos being found on the luxury liner. From the Caribbean newspaper, The Daily Herald:
WILLEMSTAD: During refurbishing and reparatory work, which involved removing the ceiling and panelling on cruise ship Freewinds, blue asbestos was released and ended up in the ventilation system.
Freewinds’ captain did not report this when it’s own personnel were working on the ship on the Mathey warf in Otrobanda. The Curacao Drydock Company (CDM), where the ship was taken for reparatory work on the hull, heard from the surveyor that there may be asbestos on the ship. The captain acknowledged the incident and said that after the incident Freewinds had some investigation done. Keeping the incident quiet became more noticeable when it turned out that the 40-year-old ship contatined blue asbestos.
The question is whether or not the blue asbestos dust, which can cause cancer, can be removed from the ship. The CDM has stopped all work on the ship. The ship was sealed and isolated and experts will investigate and measure the presence of asbestos dust in the hull and surrounding areas. Commissioners Eugene Rhuggenaath (Economic Affairs) and Humphrey Davelaar (Public Health) said on Friday.
CDM interim director Frank Esser, deputy head of the Department of Labour Affairs Christiene van der Biezen were accompanied by two inspectors and head of the health Department Tico Ras. Samples taken from the panelling last week by inspectors that were sent to the Netherlands 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 remours and panic.
The CDM personnel were also informed via the media because it was impossible to gather all the workers Friday evening to personally give them the information.
The Freewinds is the floating Church of Scientology vessel used for administering the highest levels of the OT training. The Freewinds was also the staging area for the HUGE birthday party thrown by RTC President David Miscavige for actor Tom Cruise’s 40th birthday. That party was said to cost the CoS $300,000. Let’s hope some of the money donated by these celebs goes into cleaning up the hazardous levels of asbestos on the ship before someone develops a life-threatening disease.
We will keep you posted on this story. Major hattips to Anonymous at Enturbulation.org.
Update: More about the Asbestos from Lerma.net.
Update 2: CCHR conference on Freewinds next month, likely: CANCELED see after the jump
Update 3: Pollution Dumped in the Antilles by the Freewinds
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This is BIG!
Another revenue stream shut off.
Pity the poor victims who’s asbestosis symptoms won’t show up for decades.
The cult has scheduled events on the Freewinds for May. I wonder what they are now telling their members when they call to book?
See this thread on OCMB for leaked cult emails advertising these events (with phone numbers you can call)…
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?p=318484
Comment by Sponge — April 29, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Holy crap!!
Well…. it seems par for the course for scientology, doesn’t it??
Comment by Thomas — April 29, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
I guess with the Freewinds shut down, all their “recruits” will be boarding the Amistad.
Comment by AnonymousTaco — April 29, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Speaking of the Freewinds and Tom Cruise’s bestest birthday party evar, I wonder if the expenses ($$$$$$$$$) for that party were declared as tax-deductible donations.
Comment by Rao — April 29, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Not to worry. Co$ can help like they did with the fraudulent de-tox of 9/11 workers. They are the authorities on everything.
Comment by marcab — April 29, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
[...] Freewinds sealed and blue abestos confirmed GlossLip Glosslip Exclusive: Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Hides Asbestos Danger someone digg? __________________ The Real L. Ron Hubbard - The German Psych [...]
Pingback by Freewinds sealed and blue abestos confirmed - Page 6 - Enturbulation.org Activism Forums — April 29, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Thank you Dawn! You do a GREAT job of investigating and highlighting CoS stories. Your site is quickly becoming a leader in the field. If only Andreas would link as quickly and readily as you do… but maybe you will surpass Clambake at this rate. Again Dawn, Thanks!!
Comment by Billy J — April 29, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Thanks Billy, but I am almost positive this was on the Clambake before I had it. Andreas, Mark, Arnie, Enturbulation.org are all excellent sources. I would be nothing without the help of the CoS critical community ( most especially those in Anon who send me great links).
Comment by D — April 29, 2008 @ 4:15 pm
They’ve been trying to hide this fact since 1987. Lawrence Woodcraft (the architect they brought aboard to oversee the ships remodeling), made a pretty damning declaration in 2001:
http://www.lermanet.com/scientology/LawrenceWoodcraftAsbestos.htm
They been putting people in danger for 21 years now, and getting away with it.
Looks like that’ll be coming to an end shortly, if this story gets wide enough coverage.
Comment by David Mudkips — April 29, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
My husband and I spent a week on that Death Ship.
I can’t tell you how absolutely pleased I am that
it’s been sealed and no one will ever be harmed
by that ship again.
Patty
Comment by Patty Pienaidz — April 29, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
Lawrence Woodcraft, eh??
I believe I saw an interview with his daughter on ABC last week….
Comment by Thomas — April 29, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
XenuTV interview and transcript with Lawrence Woodcraft, 2001. A must see!
http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/freewinds-1.htm
Comment by Sponge — April 29, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Other Environmental/Health Abuses by Scientology ship Freewinds:
Dumping waste on the island of Bonaire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AJNukeykjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsJi4WlEVs
Comment by Sponge — April 29, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Other Environmental/Health Abuses by Scientology ship Freewinds:
Dumping waste on the island of Bonaire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AJNukeykjc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsJi4WlEVs
Comment by Sponge — April 29, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Any scientologist or any other person who has been on the Freewinds would be well advised to immediately seek medical assistance. The WORST kind of asbestos is the blue spray-on kind found on the Freewinds. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.
PLEASE- any scientologist exposed to this serious health hazard, PLEASE go to a doctor as soon as possible.
Comment by terryeo [CCMP] — April 29, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
Well, I don’t want to see anyone killed!! Besides, it’s not just high-ranking members on this ship - this ship is where people payed big money to take the highest courses scientology offers… where well meaning people work on staff…
Comment by Thomas — April 29, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
irony… the scientology flagship is sinking… metaphorically speaking… funny how life imitates art
Comment by NEWanonymous — April 29, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Anon calls the cult to book a place on the Freewinds CCHR event. Hear what they had to say….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgcLdJpbdRA
Comment by Sponge — April 29, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
maybe this is where the criminal charges can start knowningly putting people in real health hazard causing enviromental distruction???? or maybe thats why its parked in the islands maybe it can’t be touched…. theres gotta be a way to crack this untouchable criminal force and i mean in the way of justice
Comment by ohbuddy — April 29, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
Oh no how will David Miscavige flee the country now when it all comes crashing down on his tiny little head in the form of massive lawsuits and criminal charges?
Comment by terryaeiou — April 29, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
Mayday..Mayday…we are going down.
Comment by terryeo — April 29, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
that recording of the phone call is priceless.
lie lie lie! “huge refit” my ass.
Comment by lmfao — April 29, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Class. Action. Lawsuit.
Deliberately exposing thousands of people to well-known deadly carcinogens is tantamount to attempted murder, and at minimum gross negligence and indifference to the health of others.
All to continue collecting the almighty dollar, the only thing the CoS worships.
And BTW, where the hell is the United States government? Have oversight agencies been so gutted that they aren’t even paying attention anymore? How is this cult still in business, still recruiting on the streets of America, and still receiving 503(c) tax exemptions, as well as special breaks that real religions don’t get? What more could the cult be doing to get charged and sentenced — standing in front of the FBI, IRS, and local authorities waving their arms and saying, “WE BREAK THE LAW!!!”
It’s disgraceful.
Comment by Liberty Belle — April 30, 2008 @ 2:47 am
Belle has a very good point. The fact that they KNEW that this ship was using dangerous chemicals that could cause cancer and did nothing about it demands action be taken. Unfortunately for those that might have been affected, chances are high that if they don’t do it for themselves and get something pulled together fast the Co$ is gonna put some serious spin on this story. It’ll be done faster than you can say “PTS Handled, prepare the Goldenrods for those that might have been poisoned. Get the lawyers on the media outlets that are trying to report on this. Offer mandatory R2-45s free of charge to anyone that cannot be Handled.”
Comment by Anon — April 30, 2008 @ 3:43 am
I’m pretty sure they have used free Sea Org labor at least twice now to rip apart the interior of the ship, unprotected. Those poor people and the crew obviously got the worst of the exposure. Short term visitors like Patty probably got a small fraction as much, if any.
Scientology pays Sea Org members next to nothing, provides no health insurance, and doesn’t pay into FICA due to its “religious” status. When these people start to get sick and can’t work anymore, they’ll be dumped on the street, indigent.
Disgusting.
Comment by Eldon — April 30, 2008 @ 4:58 am
This is disgusting. The Church of Scientology is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars, while their staff are paid a pittance and their flagship is flooded with blue asbestos. The CoS could easily afford to fix the asbestos problem or even replace it with a new ship, but instead, it focuses on accumulating wealth and hiding money overseas, e.g. the castle in South Africa purchased recently.
Comment by StopScientology'sAbuses — April 30, 2008 @ 10:31 am
http://digg.com/world_news/Freewinds_Docked_due_to_Blue_Asbestos
Why is this not showing up on digg in World News hot news, and not showing up in the digg search. Has CNN been alerted? Why does the daily herald not have this on their website.
Not showing up here http://digg.com/world_news/popular/24hours
Not showing up in search of “freewinds”
Is this real? Has anyone e-mnailed this to asbestos trial lawyers? Why has the news orgs not picked this up? Should we write to Editor and Publisher about journalistic ethics?
Should I start making tin foil hat?
Comment by Biff Nerded — April 30, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
[...] has written and gossip columnist GlossLip have both written about [...]
Pingback by Asbestos and Scientology | Global Toad News — April 30, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
I’ve looked high and low on the internet, at the Daily Herald in St. Martins for information about asbestos on the Freewinds and the only place I can find anything is on the Scientology gossip sites. I also find it curious that this guy took so long even after getting excommunicated to make this declaration. Apparently excommunication really is a bad idea considering what Woodcraft and Beghe, most if not all of the Scientology gossip site owners and the Freezone as well do after they got excommunicated. I hear it’s normally pretty hard to get excommunicated so I wonder what they did. Anyway, I never can find anything supporting the innuendo on these sites. If even a small part of the innuendo were true I would expect the FBI to be invading on a regular basis just like they did at Waco and the FLDS in Eldorado and others. And this whole Xenu thing. For years and years it’s been explained in great detail on the Freezone sites. And some Anonymous seems to think it’s just fine to join Freezone. So I suppose Xenu could be part of the CoS as well. But what’s the big deal if they don’t reveal it to everybody. It’s actually hard to imagine not knowing about it already. And if it really is part of the upper levels, why couldn’t it actually be true. As I recall there is that strange layer of irridium all over the world that they claim was the result of an asteroid and then there are those places in the world where there are large areas of green glass which pretty much had to come from nuclear explosions over sand.
Maybe this time with the asbestos it will be different. But if there is a story, I suppose the only one we’re supposed to believe is the one fed to us by the anti-Scientology gossip sites instead of the one we would hear on the news. Of course, now that I think about it there’s no reason to believe much of anything on the news as well.
Comment by JohnnyD — April 30, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
I suppose we *made up* the picture from the newspaper.
Luckily Johnny D I checked your Ip and it’s that same IP as some other “naysaying” Scientology apologist crap I’ve read here.
OSA plant.
Comment by D — April 30, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Johnny D: Yeah, don’t trust sites like this one, or mine, or the other critic sites. And don’t trust the news. Ohh, but definitely trust the CoS - an organization created by a man who:
1. said the best way to get rich was to start a religion;
2. has a son who said that 99% of what his father said in public was lies;
3. is known to have lied about many things about his own life;
And definitely trust an organization that has policy that allows for lying when it has to do with supporting “church” objectives; trust an organization that created and practices Fair Game policy, Disconnection policy, Operation Freakout, Operation Snow White, and who bilks thousands of poor saps out of thousands of dollars while employing hypnotic mind-control techniques, and strongly opposes any thinking negatively about the “church” or LRH.
Oh, and by the way, Scientology *has* been investigated by the FBI! Aaand after a 10-year study a Belgian prosecutor has proposed that Scientology be declared a criminal organization. And the German government has many members who think it is antithetical to a free Germany. And Israel TV called it a social, medical and moral threat.
And what makes you think that Beghe was excommunicated? HE LEFT!
And *of course* Xenu is a part of Scientology scripture. You do know that even Scientology officials admitted this during court hearings, right?
Please, for the good of yourself and of a saner slightly more humane society, can you please think about this honestly for yourself instead of letting David Miscavige do all your thinking for you?
Comment by Ron Brown — April 30, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
“Reached via phone, a worker at the Curacao Drydock Company tells Radar that the ship has been docked and sealed and that a story about asbestos did run in the newspaper.”
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/04/scientology-freewinds-asbestos-tom-cruise.php
Call them yourselves to verify the information if you don’t believe it. Ph +(5999)-733-0000
All functions and services aboard the Freewinds have been postponed indefinitely. Try booking a cruise JohnnyD, you know the number.
Comment by StopScientology'sAbuses — April 30, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
I’m not saying that because I can’t believe the anti-Scientology gossip sites or the news that I’m going to believe in the CoS but I’m going to give them the same chance I’ve given the news and the anti-Scientology gossip sites. I would have to say that what I’ve heard so far that Scientology certainly makes more sense than any of the innuendo logic And about the FBI investigations, I researched that pretty heavily and there’s a lot more to that story. If you ask me the evil organization is psychiatry even if there are well meaning psychiatrists. I wouldn’t wish their cures on anybody. One thing for sure if I had to choose between Anonymous, Psychiatry or Scientology it would be Scientology. I’ve asked around the only people who are givin odds to Anonymous or psychiatry are Anonymous and Psychiatrists.
Comment by JohnnyD — May 1, 2008 @ 2:48 am
JohnnyD, you’ve already been identified by a reputable investigator as an operative of the Office of Special Affairs. Your attempt to distance your position from that of the church is laughable.
Further, you’ve failed to uphold LRH’s policy of “always attack, never defend”.
Either way, you’re doing it wrong.
Comment by no nombre — May 1, 2008 @ 4:27 am
JohnnyD, the phone number for the company that sealed the ship is found directly above your post. Call them and get the truth for yourself. You don’t have to believe Glosslip OR CoS (even though you’re posting from a CoS IP address). You just need to pick up a phone and ask the the company themselves.
Comment by David — May 1, 2008 @ 9:22 am
[...] an answer back from Church of Scientology spokeswhores on the Freewinds cruise ship asbestos story (which we broke first thanks to Anonymous sources) and as expected, their response is full of lies and prevarication, and [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Update On The FreeWinds Asbestos Death Cruise, Scientology Reps Respond — May 1, 2008 @ 11:42 am
[...] news. So far it’s really only the "usual suspects" of anti-Scientology reporting sites: GlossLip Glosslip Exclusive: Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Hides Asbestos Danger Fresh Intelligence : Radar Online : Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds This one’s [...]
Pingback by Tracklist: Mass Media mentions of Tradewinds situation - Enturbulation.org Activism Forums — May 1, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
While this crime against humanity is being exposed, Wolf Blitzer of CNN just did a 2 minute puff piece on the Situation Room to promote Scientology’s Youtube video channel. Show’s you what kind of journalism CNN really amounts to. I sent Wolf a blazing e-mail about this and CNN’s lack of reporting real news. Dawn, great job! Maybe someday you can take over CNN and get them going in the right direction. Somebody sure needs to.
Comment by John — May 1, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Mommie, I’m wettttttt!!!!!!!!
Comment by Terryeo [CCMP} — May 1, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Happy staturday OSA!
Ain’t it a drag when the other team is doing the happy dance?
Comment by terryeo [tmcrxs] — May 1, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
I have read a lot of former scientologists’ stories in the last few months, and there are so many instances of people dying of cancer in them.
Now we know why. And if that affidavit is correct, the church has known about this for 21 years. That is a class action lawsuit if I ever saw one.
Comment by wildwildrice — May 1, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
Stupid OSA plant. At least use a different IP. You’d think an OSA goon would have enough sense to cover her tracks.
Comment by Anon — May 2, 2008 @ 7:48 am
this is sooooooooooooooooooooo frustrating these people are willing to expose themselves to abestoes because they beleive in the words of man who clearly lied about everything he ever did! equally frustrating cnn finds the story on scientology’s utube channel more news worthy! more compelling! then the church’s criminal acts - knowing for 20+ years that they are exposing anyone that comes near that ship with possible cancer……. UGH!
Comment by ohbuddy — May 2, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Here are the facts:
1) The Freewinds was placed in dry dock for re-furbishing several months ago by the Church of Scientology. This fact was announced broadly at the time and all church operations that had been conducted aboard the Freewinds were moved to their facilities in Clearwater.
2) During the refurbishing Asbestos was found on board the ship.
3) According to the above quoted article, the Captain of the Freewinds failed to report the asbestos, which was found during the refurbishing.
4) According to the above article, the Captain acknowledged his failure.
You can take these facts and distort them. However, no evidence exists that the Church of Scientology was aware of the asbestos prior to the ship being placed in dry dock. No evidence exists that the Church tried to cover this up. A single man, the Captain, failed to report it in a timely fashion and perhaps he did try to cover it up, but that is conjecture.
Asbestos can sit inert in buildings and is harmless until it is disturbed, typically by demolition and construction. It is common throughout the United States for asbestos to be discovered in old buildings when they are being remodeled or demolished. No one goes back and alerts the prior occupants of the building as this is unnecessary and would only create undue alarm. The material only becomes dangerous when disturbed, and then very expensive containment and clean up measures are required.
Comment by Merrill — May 2, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
[...] : Cancer on the Lido Deck? Scientology Responds GlossLip (Which overlaps the Radar Article): GlossLip Glosslip Exclusive: Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Hides Asbestos Danger Lawrence Woodcrafts affidavit swearing that the people in charge knew of the deadly asbestos for [...]
Pingback by Possible Litigation Angle against $cientology? - Enturbulation.org Activism Forums — May 3, 2008 @ 10:23 am
Merrill,
“However, no evidence exists that the Church of Scientology was aware of the asbestos prior to the ship being placed in dry dock. No evidence exists that the Church tried to cover this up.”
Lawrence Woodcraft’s affidavit states he informed Scientologist upper management about the asbestos in 1987. The affidavit was filed in 2001.
So the CoS management has known about asbestos since 1987, or at least since 2001 when the affidavit was filed in a court case against them.
Also, the boat that became the Freewinds (it wasn’t always called that) was built in the 1960’s, and was built as a ferry. All 1960’s boats were built with asbestos, especially ferrys since cars catching on fire is a bad thing. If the CoS didn’t do their due dilligence and have the boat inspected prior to purchasing it then they failed there too. Ignorance is not an excuse.
Asbestos was released during the 1987 refit, as noted in the Woodcraft affidavit. Asbestos was released during other work done on the ship as noted by former Sea-Org member testimony.
Yes, it has been covered up for 20+ years. Also, why did you post in an article buried 3 or 4 pages back on Friday? Why not post in the follow up article which was on the front page, now on page 2? Were you afraid someone might find your comments and refute them? To bad, someone did.
Comment by David — May 5, 2008 @ 9:32 am
[...] Lawrence Woodcraft’s detailed history on the CoS cruise ship, the Freewinds. Just yesterday we reported the ship has been permanently sealed due to a massive asbestos leak discovered during renovation. Mr. [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Glosslip Radio: Astra and Lawrence Woodcraft, Monday, May 5th, 9:00pm EDT — May 5, 2008 @ 10:07 am
I have a question for you Merril. Why did you post the same copypaste statements on both the Village Voice and Monsters and Critics regarding the Jason Beghe interview.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1401119.php/OT_V_Jason_Beghes_full_interview_Scientology_scams_exposed_
MerrillApr 22nd, 2008 - 14:00:01
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/04/jason_beghe_on.php
Merrill at April 22, 2008 9:51 AM
So will ask you again. How many dogs does Jason Beghe have? What color are they?
Comment by Tear E Oh — May 5, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
[...] It’s reasonable to assume a class action lawsuit will be in the works soon. *** [1] GlossLip Glosslip Exclusive: Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Hides Asbestos Danger [2] Lawrence Woodcraft Affidavit about Asbestos on the Freewinds - January 24, 2001 [3] St. Maarten [...]
Pingback by Freewinds -- US Team to Clean Asbestos - Page 2 - Enturbulation.org Activism Forums — May 6, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
[...] being found on the luxury liner. From the Caribbean newspaper, The Daily Herald: includes Videos anhttp://glosslip.com/2008/04/29/glosslip-exclusive-scientology-cruise-ship-freewinds-hides-asbestos-d…Harrison News Herald OnlineHarrison news Herald. … Please Visit Our Sponsor. ? 2000. Harrison [...]
Pingback by news herald — May 15, 2008 @ 8:14 am
Holy crap
Comment by Mikey — May 18, 2008 @ 7:51 am