Scientology cruise ship contaminated with blue asbestos
The Freewinds, a cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology, is the only place in the world in which Scientologists can complete the level of OT VIII, which requires a “completely safe, aesthetic and distraction-free environment.” Former Scientologist Jason Beghe has called the ship a flea bag that shakes like crazy, hardly meeting two of those requirements about aesthetics and distractions. Most importantly, the presence of toxic blue asbestos on the cruise ship ensures that the safety requirement is not met.
Lawrence Woodcraft oversaw original renovations of the Freewinds and reported that the ship was contaminated with the toxic substance blue asbestos. In a May 2008 statement, a spokesperson from the Church of Scientology stated that there has never been a problem with asbestos exposure. However, it can take for an asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma, to manifest in patients after their initial asbestos exposure.
But in April 2008, the Curacao Dry Dock Company confirmed the discovery of blue asbestos while maintenance was being performed. A third party news source stated that decontamination would cost tens of millions of dollars and keep the ship in dry dock for months.
While the Church of Scientology continues to deny the existence of blue asbestos, it hired Nordica Engineering to refit the ship. Nordica, in turn, hired 240 Polish workers who lived on the ship for a month and a half. When the workers reported back to Nordica that there was asbestos on the ship, the workers were ordered to quit and return to Poland. Nordica asked for compensation for its workers, but nothing has come from the case so far.
It is believed that the asbestos contamination is so extensive that the ship would need to be stripped down to its steel hull, something the Church of Scientology will not do because of the cost. Asbestos was commonly used in shipbuilding materials in the early 20th century because of its resistance to heat, fire and corrosion. As the health issues of asbestos exposure came to light, asbestos use was phased out, but it may still be lurking in certain products.
Asbestos exposure has been linked to numerous diseases, including the rare but deadly cancer mesothelioma. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. Even a small amount of exposure can lead to health issues decades in the future. If you have come in contact with asbestos and suspect that you may have an asbestos diseases, tell your doctor about your concerns.
