Did scientology cruise ship expose passengers to asbestos?

Alarming reports have been surfacing about the Scientology cruise ship known as the MV Freewinds, which is it said is packed full of Crocidolite, otherwise known as blue asbestos. The ship, which is owned by the Church of Scientology under the name “’Majestic Cruise Lines,” has been sealed and docked in Mathey Warf in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, for the last several days. Large amounts of Crocidolite (blue asbestos) were found to be present onboard the ship, and a statement from the vessel’s captain indicates that there have been previous incidents where the asbestos was released into the ship’s onboard ventilation system, which could potentially have resulted in asbestos exposure for everyone on board. The Curacao Drydock Company was contracted to carry out refurbishment and repairs on the ship when it docked earlier this week, but the company has since ceased work due to the risk of asbestos exposure. Several officials, including deputy head of the Department of Labor Affairs Christiene van der Biezen and local health department head Tico Ras, inspected the ship and took samples from paneling that was subsequently found to contain blue asbestos in significant amounts. Subsequently, the Executive Council held a meeting and decided that informing the public would be the best way to avoid rumors and other problems. Other reports say that allegations about asbestos onboard the ship were made at least seven years ago. Lawrence Woodcraft, an architect and former Scientologist, apparently filed an affidavit claiming that he encountered blue asbestos on the ship in 1987â€"more than twenty years agoâ€"and informed Scientology leaders. Online magazine Radar says it spoke with a Scientology spokesperson, who said that the ship hasn’t been sealed and is undergoing a planned overhaul that will be completed according to schedule. The Scientology spokesperson said “The Freewinds regularly inspects the air quality on board and always meets or exceeds US standards. Inspections done on April 15, 2008 and April 28, 2008 again confirmed that the air quality is safe, in accordance with the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Clean Air Act.” Regardless, other agencies have suggested that anyone who has ever spent time aboard the MV Freewinds should consider seeing their doctor to determine if asbestos exposure has done any damage to their health, and to arrange ongoing health monitoring. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)