http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2008/04/scientology-freewinds-asbestos-tom-cruise.php

http://newsblaze.com/story/20080501044835tsop.nb/newsblaze/OPINIONS/Opinions.html

These are links to two different publications running articles on the Freewinds (Scientology/L Ron Hubbard's group) Cruise ship being quarantined due to the "discovery" of blue asbestos, etc.

Apparently the ship was in Curacao for some work, maintenance and upkeep/refurbishing when the contractor hired to perform the work "discovered" there was asbestos behind the walls, in the ventilation system, etc. The contactor (hired by FW/Scientology, I assume) ordered their workers to cease all work on the ship and to leave the ship immediately.

If you'll recall, we were discussing this exact topic months ago and if I recall correctly, an inspection had been performed in Bonaire by officials and an independent contractor to check the ventilation system to determine if there was hazardous exposure dangerous condition present. The inspections and reports declared the Free Winds to be free of of airborne contamimants, etc. and approved habitation of the ship. (Going by memory now, so please bear with me on the history and facts as they transpired recently.)

The scheduled repairs and refurbishing of the Free Winds might explain her absence from the list of Cruise liners over he summer months in Bonaire. I was glad to see she was not listed on the Cruise schedule for the next few months....guess this latest "issue" will extend that timeframe...the one without FW name on the schedule of visiting ocean liners.

I fear this group will only go out and procure another ocean liner for their "students/pupils" to study their beliefs and followings while captive prisoners on board their floating classroom/craft at sea!

I'll bet even more information and facts will "come out" now that this condition/hazard has been "officially discovered" by an "independent/outside source" with the truth being released to the world and the public.

Any more thoughts out there? Ayo. Carole

Here are some more articles:

http://forum.darwincentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=13061&p=303893

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/rnr/661664015.html

Here's an audio clip from Youtube with interesting responses to Paul's inquiries about signing up for the cruise:

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=vgcLdJpbdRA


And, of course, we can't forget the expose' Sean Paton put together on video last October 2007. The video(s) was posted on BT and drew several comments and opinions. Here is that link, once again, for all to see. I wonder if the asbestos somehow worked its way into the plumbing and pipes and thus into the waste water and onto Bonaire's land. I wonder. Carole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsJi4WlEVs

The Freewind was bought by L Ron Hubbard in the full knowledge that it was full of blue asbestos.

The previous owner had been trying to scrap it without success because of the asbestos so Hubbard paid scrap value for it.

Hubbard took the ship to England to a firm that specialises in refurbs and the removal of asbestos but it was that bad that they would not touch it.

In the end, Hubbard came up with a plan to use his own stupid gullible followers. As part of their belief is that you can only get ill if you want to get ill, he got Scientologist to do the refit while teenage volunteers continually hosed the area down to minimise the dust.

If any of those people are now sick, dying or dead, you will never hear anything as long as they are part of this ridiculous cult.

They may be able to hide behind "religion" status in the US but fortunately, we have their number.

Thanks for posting Carol.. People have no idea how much mesothelioma litigation costs this country; the ensuing suffering sustained by those afflicted which inexorably leads to their demise..

W...O...W....and today is the day that Tom Cruise goes on Oprah for career damage control.

Does the Freewinds ever come to the US, and does anyone know what Flag they fly? (what country it is registerd in?)

I'd LOVE for 60 minutes to do a piece on this.

wow, check this out

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=Whhlq_C4UPQ&feature=related

Frankly I think this shows what type of people they really are. I'll leave it at that.

That newer video seems even more damning than the first. Why does the Bonairian government allow this to happen? Seems awfully shortsighted compared to the effort they've put into reef conservation.

Matthew, especially after the government was alerted to the blue asbestos "issue" last year and tests were allegedly performed and the "all clear" signal was given with a clean bill of health for occupancy, etc. Very disconcerting, to say the least.

Remember when we all were discussing the blue asbestos issue with the FW last year?? Just amazing that no one wanted to listen then and for all the years prior when the california architect tried to get someone to listen and do something about the matter. No one would do anything.

One can only hope no one will contract lung cancer as a result of being on board the FW.

I'm also concerned with the waste she dumped on Bonaire as the asbestos possibly could have entered the water system via plumbing and ventilation, etc, I do recall someone bringing up that possibility, too...possibly the British/California architect who wrote a lengthy expose' article quite a while back about this whole mess.

Here is the link to the original story about this horrible condition:

http://www.xenutv.com/interviews/lawrence.htm

The link to the 2001 interview is here:

http://lisatrust.bogie.nl/stories/freewinds-1.htm

Seems as tho the Scientology folks didn't "screen" the contractors closely enough for the work being done while in dry dock in Curacao at the present time. I doubt the Scientology group would have "permitted" any contractor to come on board with the risk of a whistle being blown on the FW condition. Maybe no one was paid off this time? Only my personal comment on that angle...absolutely NO substantiation of any improprieties going on at all...just MHO.

Just amazing. The authorities need to Open up those eyes and ears out there!! cb

Cynde, if I recall correctly (and that's shaky at times, LOL) the US does not permit the FW to pull into our ports at all. I'll have to check further...going by the "old" memory on that one.

Did anyone bring this topic up with Cruise on Oprah?? Doubtful, eh? cb

I found the emails from another forum from overone YEAR ago when someone wrote to some Government officials regarding the possibility of blue asbestos. Here is the response he received regarding the inspections of the FW and the results of the testing, etc.:

http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?t=22573&sid=a867b12e3385194b7256bc9a6ddd26f7

First Email and response:





Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 1333
Location: Vierlingsbeek (Netherlands)
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject: Freewinds = asbestos

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few weeks ago I sent an email to our Health Department, complaining on the dangerous situation on board the Freewinds.
I included the declaration of Freewinds' architect, Lawrence Woodcraft.
The Freewinds visits weekly the Netherlands Antilles island Bonaire, and the ship is infested with blue asbestos. On a regular basis their are events being held on board for the population of Bonaire. This week I got a reply from the department with the advise to send it to the Antillenhuis, and I did. Today they responded. I will try to translate:
Quote:

Thank you for your email. I will relay it to the proper authorities of the Netherlands Antilles.
I have to tell you that the Freewinds, like any other ship visiting harbours in the Antilles, is subject to inspections by the Naval Inspection/Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs of the Netherlands Antilles.
Every ship visiting harbours in the Antilles has to comply with strict Antillian Laws.

Thank you again for your mail and I will relay it as quick as possible to the Antillian Autorities in Willemstad.



Could this be the beginning of the end of the Freewinds? It should be, as asbestos is no longer allowed on ships visiting harbours in the Kingdom of the Netherlands


Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 1333
Location: Vierlingsbeek (Netherlands)
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:45 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK. So I sent this email to the local authorities on the Netherlands Antilles.
Today, to my surprise, I got an answer:
Quote:
Willemstad, august 10 2007.

Subject: Asbestos inspection on the Freewinds.

Dear Sir,

Because of your email about blue asbestos on board the Freewinds the Director Shipping and Marine has carried out an inspection.

The inspection on board the Freewinds was done by two qualified and independent bureaus: the American Quest Environmental Inc. and the classifying department of the ship named Det Norkse Veritas.

The inspections carried out concentrated on air ventilation systems, passenger areas, working and public areas and staircases on board the ship.

These inspections revealed there is no concentrations of asbestos being found in the air, nor is there any asbestos found in the airconditioning system of the ship.

I thank you for your concerns and hope to have given satisfactory information.

with many greetings,

Ir. Maurice Adriaens
Secretary of Traffic and Transport.



The Freewinds is clean. Glad to know that. No innocent victims to be expected due to asbestos
..........................................

END OF POST



I (CB) hope I am not ruffling any feathers or violating any "privacy" issues as names are contained in these two emails from another forum but I would think that as it was posted on a public forum with the names last year that there would be no legal or ethical reason they can't be posted now.

If the names must be removed I leave that to our terrific Mods...they know what's best. Ayo. Carole

I was hoping to have more participation and/or comments on this thread (pro or con) but I guess a lot of folks are away for the weekend.

I have patience, however....LOL. cb

Carole, I have been reading all your information and am quite horrified at what has taken place. Both by the Freewinds incident and the whole Scientology thing. I have nothing of value to add except to thank you for bringing this to our attention and will follow to see what happens. I hope this is handled as it should be (Freewinds removed from the ocean to never be seen again) but money talks.

Carole,
This issue has gained quite a bit of visibility on the internet. Curiously, none of the mainstream media have picked it up after almost a week. You would think that deliberately exposing tens of thousands to a known carcinogen over the course of several decades is newsworthy.
Not to worry, I don't think they will be able to hide this time.
There are many legal firms in the U.S. that specialize in personal injury law related to asbestos exposure. Watch to see their advertising dollars at work in the near future.

Welcome to BT, William. It is amazing not one wire service or cable news service has picked up on this as yet....at least not that I am aware of. Very interesting, indeed.

I know you are right when it comes to a Class Action most likely brewing, as well. Can't see how that would NOT occur at this point....or at least if the 'word' gets out to the "general' world publics' eyes and ears.

I am patient...I can wait for this one to break eventually. If not, we shall see what can/should be done to make folks who might have been exposed aware of this condition - again. (except for those Scientology members who signed releases an waivers, etc.....don't think they would hold up in court, however, if this blue asbestos condition ws "known" to the leaders, etals, and the members were not aware or notified at all...before or afterwards. cb

All,
Apparently there is an active local broadcaster who is providing updates via radio and streaming web feed on issues related to the Freewinds and the effect it has on Bonaire.
His name is Sean and he appears to be a pretty squared away fellow.
www.forumantilles.com
He also has several videos on YouTube related to sewage and waste from Freewinds being dumped in huge amounts on the island.
http://www.youtube.com/user/forumantilles

That would be Sean Paton, William. Sean has been extremely active in areas where "protection" and "education" is needed regarding the Reefs, the environment and life, in general, on Bonaire.

Sean will question (and challenge) anyone (including government officials & Scientology) who might even threaten to harm the Bonaire environment in any way manner.

Sean is a breath of fresh air (no pun intended) with Bonaire's welfare and being at heart. cb

Liability litigation on this may not be straightforward.

This week's Bonaire Reporter includes a copy an article about this from the St. Maarten Herald that includes this: 'The presence of asbestos aboard the Freewinds has long been published on Scientologist websites.'

That would seem to preclude any suits by Scientology people. Visitors another question. And violation of laws in ports of call also, as in Curacao now.

Lovely group, those Scientology leaders. But then, good Scientologists can't be made sick by asbestos, can they??

Matt,

As far as why the Bonairian government would allow this....I'll give you the answer that I was given when I asked how someone could procure and build on a seaside lot at Red Slave.

Politics.

It seems that the Lord works in mysterious ways on Bonaire.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Before you convict the Bonaire government of bribery, please note the email from the NA Secretary of Traffic and Transport that Carole copied above. It declares that there was no asbestos on Freewinds. It would be difficult for Bonaire to exclude the vessel or limit boarding with that declaration in place. Obviously Freewinds has not been to Bonaire since the 'discovery'.

Was the statement on the Scientology site of the presence of asbestos enough to exclude? Matter of laws and regulations and then we circle to the inspection results.

Now, as to why that inspection result happened.... But that was an NA (read Curacao) event.

Isn't, $ ,the ususal answer to why on many of the things that aren't so great in this world, do get approved.
I agree with Jerry.

I believe the actual quote was "The presence of asbestos aboard the Freewinds has long been published on Ex-Scientologist websites"
You won't find any references to asbestos on the Freewinds on scientology sponsored sites.
Another interesting, repeated thing you'll find on the Ex-Scientolgist web-sites are posts remarking on the unusually high number of deaths from cancer experienced by high-level sci's.
Maybe they just weren't "good scientologists"?

Just seems incredibly short sighted considering the efforts Bonaire has gone to to keep their marine environment pristine compared to other Carribean nations. Of course "personal enrichment" explains a lot of the more puzzling or nonsensical government decisions in this world but that's just speculation. At least there are good people on Bonaire trying to bring the problem to others' attention.

I'm hoping to have the pleasure of meeting Mr.Patton this trip via Carol.
He sounds like someone who has Bonaire's best interest at heart, so I'm sure I'll like him.

I stand corrected in fact: the quote from the Herald site reads exactly,'The presence of asbestos aboard the Freewinds has long been published on Scientologist exposé websites'. Don't know why I missed that!! :–)

As a fine point, statements on the exposé sites aren't 'proof' that would allow other entities (governments) to take actions against Freewinds. The moreso that Bonaire could not legally exclude Freewinds before the 'discovery' and proof. $s were not needed on Bonaire; 'suspicions' don't hold up in the law. I am not making an unqualified endorsement of Bonaire, just working from that excellent precept in US law called 'innocent until proven guilty'.

Not really surprised that the info was not on the official sites. It would be interesting to hear the higher-ups now explain the deaths from cancer as they fit into the Scientology doctrine. Might set up another, higher 'level' for that, though I would think it would fit best at the first level.

Overboard pollution is another thing. That should have been acted on.

You will, Lorraine, you will! Soon..yippee!! YGM. cb

I thought this was interesting considering the latest news on Freewinds

/image {cos.jpg}

Glen,

Since I will not be convicting the Bonairian government of bribery, may I convict them of stupidity?

Its either one or the other. The inspection on Bonaire that showed no asbestos was due to A:someone that looked the other way or B: someone that did not know what they were looking at.

I find the latter hard to beleive as the Free Winds is a big ship with ALOT of asbestos. Anyone with any experience and direction to specifically look for asbestos would find it.

My thoughts. Yours?

When I opened The Sandwich Factory in 1994, I needed to protect a window from excessive heat. The government health inspector/officer in charge suggested I use asbestos.

When I expressed my concern about the health issues, he stated, "Oh, you American's. Asbestos is only dangerous if you wake it up!" Which I guess is technically true.

So, there is a very good chance that Bonaire officials are not concerned about asbestos unless it is "woken up".

By the way, I did not use asbestos in The Sandwich Factory for those of you who might be wondering.

My point was that the inspection was done, and the letter issued by, the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles in Willemstadt, not the government of Bonaire which has been attacked here. And that, with that report in place, Bonaire likely could not legally act against Freewinds for asbestos matters.

I, too, wonder that 'no asbestos' was found by the inspection but I don't know what was inspected for, to say it awkwardly. Barry may have said a key thing: that the inspection was looking for airborne, 'free', 'woken up' asbestos and didn't find it at levels considered dangerous in the NA while it could have been there 'sleeping' in plain sight but of no concern under the rules of the inspection. The absolute level of danger posed by 'sleeping' and airborne asbestos has been questioned here in the States as well but our governments have chosen to eliminate it entirely, at great $ cost to all of us. I don't know the answer.

On a 'higher' level, I was also according the Bonaire government officials (and the Central government) the assumption of innocence until proven guilty.

Whew! :–)

Bad News.
According to this article they are making a best effort to clean it up by sweeping it under the rug.
http://www.amigoe.com/english/

It seems to me "the more things change, the more they remain the same". Round and 'round we go...where she stops nobody knows...the old shell game or three card monte game is going full-tilt boogy right now. What a shame. cb

From Amigoe today

Special team strips Freewinds of asbestos

WILLEMSTAD – A special team from the United States is working on removing the asbestos from the cruise ship Freewinds. The team is being supervised by an independent bureau from the Netherlands.

Head of Environmental Service, Tico Ras confirms the above, but doesn’t say much. The seriousness of asbestos being released during work is according to him ‘a matter of interpretation’. He nevertheless admits that readings are constantly being done that indicate the amount of asbestos, but that he does not know what the results of the readings are, and that he is busy finishing up a report.

It is in any case safe around the ship in the dry-dock. The Environmental Service is also supervising the removing of the asbestos and is making sure that this is done according to the rules. The asbestos is taken to the landfill of Selikor that has a special dump place for this.

Freewinds promised last week to give an official declaration, which they didn’t. Harbour captain Ludwig Alpes is now referring everybody to the dock company (CDM) for comments. PR-director Karin Pouw of Scientology in Los Angeles gave a reaction on the internet: “The Freewinds on a regular basis checks the air quality on board of the ship and always meets the American standards. Inspections on April 15 and 28 confirm that the air quality is safe, in accordance with the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and US Clean Air Act.”

The Freewinds is undergoing a complete touchup in the dry dock. All the cabins and other accommodations are being upgraded. To comply with the tight maritime rules that become effective in 2010, also the navigation- and safety equipment is being replaced. “The true and accurate story is that the Freewinds is being restored to better than new.” The restoration is on schedule.

CDM-director Frank Esser indicated last week that the ship had till yesterday to be in dry-docking. Aside from the disputable exceeding of the asbestos standards in the air, the CDM–director blamed the Freewinds for not complying with the different procedures. A ship in dry-dock that is going to work on asbestos is required to do this with qualified people.

Very disheartening, indeed. What else can be done to keep this matter from being buried under the rug??

Even if they totally gut this ship I doubt it would be extremely "healthy" for anyone, especially those doing the gutting and the place where the blue asbestos finally is laid to rest someone on Curacao (for now, at least).

Must be something more that can be done....cb

A different spin on the situation appears in an article on Lloydslist.com at:
http://www.lloydslist.com/ll/news/asbestos-scare-seals-off-scientology-cruiseship/1210066179954.htm
In part it says,
"A decision on whether to allow work to continue will be taken upon the arrival of flag state inspectors and further inspections by experts from the Netherlands, said the health authority expert."
If anyone knows who these experts from the Netherlands are, it might be useful for them to recieve a copy of the Woodcraft Declaration. It gives a good overview of the extent and location of asbestos installation aboard Freewinds.
The Declaration can be found here:
http://www.lermanet.com/scientology/LawrenceWoodcraftAsbestos.htm