Freewinds
The MV Freewinds is a Panamanian-flagged passenger cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization and dedicated as a floating religious retreat for advanced Scientology spiritual counseling, auditing sessions, and training courses.[1][2] Originally constructed in 1968 by Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard in Finland as the MS Bohème for Wallenius Lines and later operated by Commodore Cruise Line, the 134-meter vessel with a gross tonnage of 10,328 was acquired by Scientology-affiliated entities in 1985 and refitted for its current role, entering service in 1988 while primarily homeported in Curaçao.[3][4] Capable of accommodating up to 634 guests and 184 crew, it offers a secluded maritime setting intended to facilitate uninterrupted pursuit of Scientology's higher-level practices, including those associated with the Sea Organization.[3][1] The ship has been marked by operational controversies, most notably a 2008 impoundment and closure by Curaçao authorities after inspectors discovered friable blue asbestos during interior refurbishments, prompting health and safety concerns for onboard personnel and leading to remediation efforts amid disputes over prior disclosures.[5]Construction and Early Commercial History
Design and Initial Construction
The MS Bohème, subsequently known as Freewinds, was constructed in 1968 at the Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland, as part of a series of four similar vessels ordered by the Swedish operator Lion Ferry.[6] Intended as a roll-on/roll-off car and passenger ferry, the design featured stern doors for vehicle access, a retractable bow ramp, and dedicated vehicle decks to support service between European ports and destinations like Freeport in the Bahamas.[7][8] Lion Ferry canceled the order amid delays in route development, leading Wallenius Lines to acquire the incomplete hull and repurpose it for cruise operations under charter to Commodore Cruise Line.[6] Modifications included converting the lower vehicle decks (B and C) into passenger accommodations, omitting the loading doors, and adding public spaces for comfort during week-long voyages, marking the yard's first adaptation of ferry engineering for dedicated cruising.[7] This reflected Finnish shipbuilding's emphasis on versatile, efficient hull forms suited to North Atlantic conditions, with modular interiors enabling rapid reconfiguration without major structural changes.[6] The completed vessel accommodated around 540 passengers in 234 cabins and entered service on December 7, 1968, with its maiden cruise from Miami to Freeport, San Juan, and other Caribbean ports, demonstrating reliable performance in early tropical operations.[9][10] Propulsion relied on twin geared diesel engines driving two screws, prioritizing fuel efficiency and stability for mixed ferry-cruise duties over high-speed capability.[11]Wallenius Lines Ownership (1968–1981)
The MS Bohème was completed in November 1968 by Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard in Finland for Wallenius Bremen GmbH & Co KG Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, the West German subsidiary of the Swedish Wallenius Lines, and registered under the West German flag with Bremen as her home port.[10] Originally ordered to serve as a ferry partnering with Lion Ferries' Prins Hamlet on UK-Germany routes operated by Prins Ferries, the vessel's design was altered to a cruise ship configuration due to slower-than-expected growth in that service.[6] Upon delivery on 12 November 1968, she was immediately chartered to the U.S.-based Commodore Cruise Line for operations in the Caribbean market.[12] Her maiden voyage departed Miami on 7 December 1968, sailing a weekly itinerary to Caribbean destinations including Freeport, San Juan, and Saint Thomas.[9] The ship accommodated up to 540 passengers across 234 cabins, emphasizing budget-oriented cruises from Miami ports to appeal to the emerging mass-market segment.[10] Early operations encountered technical challenges, particularly with the air conditioning system during her first year, which affected passenger comfort in tropical conditions.[13] Under Wallenius ownership, the Bohème maintained consistent Caribbean service through the 1970s, contributing to Commodore's expansion as a low-cost alternative to luxury liners amid rising demand for short-haul leisure voyages.[12] No major expansions in capacity or route deviations were recorded, with the vessel focusing on reliable weekly departures rather than transatlantic or vehicle-ferry duties.[6] In 1981, after 13 years of operation, Wallenius Lines sold the 13-year-old ship to the Finnish Rederi Ab Sally amid shifts in the cruise sector toward larger vessels.[7]Rederi Ab Sally Ownership (1981–1986)
In March 1981, Rederi Ab Sally, a Finland-based shipping company, acquired MS Bohème along with Commodore Cruise Line from Wallenius Lines, aiming to expand into the growing cruise market.[6][7] The vessel was re-registered under the Panamanian flag, which prompted the resignation of most of its German officers due to deteriorated working conditions associated with the flag-of-convenience shift.[3] Under Rederi Ab Sally's ownership, Bohème continued operating as a cruise ship, primarily conducting 7-night itineraries departing from Miami to Caribbean destinations, including ports such as St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Plata, and Cap-Haïtien.[12] These voyages built on prior routes but faced intensifying competition from larger U.S.-flagged and established cruise operators, contributing to inconsistent passenger loads and operational adjustments.[6] By the mid-1980s, Rederi Ab Sally encountered broader financial strains amid a consolidating shipping industry, prompting cost-cutting measures and evaluations of non-core assets like Bohème. The ship persisted in short Caribbean cruises until late 1986, with voyages increasingly focused on maintaining revenue amid declining profitability, setting the stage for its divestment as part of the company's restructuring efforts.[12]Acquisition and Refit by the Church of Scientology
Purchase and Ownership Transfer
In September 1986, the Flag Ship Trust (FST), an entity controlled by the Church of Scientology, acquired the cruise ship Bohème for $10 million from its prior owner, Rederi Ab Sally.[7][8] The purchase, directed by Church leader David Miscavige, aimed to secure a sovereign, sea-based venue for administering confidential advanced-level religious services, such as Operating Thetan Level VIII (OT VIII) auditing, which required isolation from potential governmental interference experienced at onshore facilities during the 1980s.[14][15]Ownership was promptly transferred to San Donato Properties Corporation, a Panamanian firm affiliated with Scientology, effecting a flag state change from Finland to Panama to facilitate international operations and tax considerations prior to the Church's 1993 U.S. tax-exempt recognition.[7][16] The vessel was renamed Freewinds upon handover, with operational management assigned to International Shipping Partners, another Scientology-linked entity.[6] Initial crewing shifted to Sea Organization members, the Church's elite clerical staff, who assumed basic navigational and maintenance duties to maintain the ship's viability during the interim period before full commissioning in 1988.[17] This transition ensured continuity while prioritizing the vessel's adaptation for ecclesiastical use.[18]