Freewinds

Freewinds is a passenger vessel associated with the Church of Scientology and used primarily as a floating religious training center and retreat. The ship was constructed in 1968 at Wärtsilä's Turku Shipyard in Finland, originally for Wallenius Lines and Commodore Cruise Line. It was the first cruise ship built in Finland. Before its acquisition by Scientology interests, the vessel operated under the name MS Bohème and served Caribbean cruise routes, with additional charter and ferry-related service during periods of commercial operation. The ship began as a proposed car and passenger ferry ordered by Sweden-based Lion Ferry. When passenger demand made the planned ferry service commercially impractical, the partly completed construction contract was transferred to Wallenius Lines. Wallenius redesigned the vessel as a cruise ship, replacing the intended car-deck configuration with passenger cabins and modifying the superstructure for warm-weather cruising. The ship was delivered in November 1968 and entered service with Commodore Cruise Line. Its early career included a serious grounding incident during its initial voyage from Sweden toward Miami, followed by repairs in Sweden. It subsequently began regular Caribbean cruises from Miami. Freewinds became notable in the commercial cruise industry for operating year-round seven-night cruises from Miami and for calling at destinations including Puerto Plata and Cap-Haïtien. The ship underwent substantial technical and interior work during its commercial career. Air-conditioning problems associated with its early Caribbean operation led to a major European refit in 1980, including changes to the cooling system and installation of additional freshwater-generating capacity. Further rebuilding occurred after a South American charter in the early 1980s, including the installation of new diesel generators and replacement of much of the interior decoration. In 1981, Commodore Cruise Line and Bohème were sold to Finland-based Rederi Ab Sally. During this period the ship was re-registered in Panama, underwent changes in crew nationality, and was chartered for South American cruises. A later itinerary from Florida proved difficult to maintain because of schedule, weather, and engine problems. The vessel was subsequently chartered for a Miami–Freeport ferry service before returning briefly to cruise operations from St. Petersburg, Florida. The Church of Scientology had decided in the mid-1980s that it wanted an ocean-going facility for advanced religious services, particularly the OT VIII level. The organization associated maritime travel with the history of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who had conducted earlier activities aboard ships. In 1985, the Flag Ship Trust was established with financial support from the International Association of Scientologists. In September 1986, a Flag Ship Trust-related company acquired Bohème from Commodore interests for conversion to Scientology use, and the vessel was renamed Freewinds. The conversion involved extensive renovation and the creation of course rooms, religious-service areas, accommodation, recreational facilities, and spaces associated with Scientology organizations. Accounts by former participants and critics have alleged that the refit was poorly managed and involved unsafe work practices, including asbestos exposure. These claims are disputed in their broader context and are included here as allegations reported in reference material rather than as independently verified findings. The refit took longer than planned, and the ship returned to service in June 1988. Today, Freewinds is used as the exclusive venue for Scientology's OT VIII training and related services. It also offers lower-level courses, auditing, religious instruction, meetings, and recreational activities for Scientologists. The ship hosts an annual June event known as the Freewinds Maiden Voyage or OT Summit, where senior members discuss organizational achievements and future plans. Its onboard facilities include course rooms, a library containing works by Hubbard, offices and spaces connected with Scientology organizations, and an LRH Office maintained symbolically in Hubbard's honor. The vessel is operated through a network of Scientology-affiliated corporations, with Curaçao serving as its home port and operational base.

Freewinds began as a ship intended for a Scandinavian ferry operation rather than as a religious vessel. Sweden-based Lion Ferry ordered a second car and passenger ferry for a proposed Bremerhaven–Harwich service, but weak demand made operating two ships on the route unattractive. The partly completed order was transferred to Wallenius Lines, which converted the design into a cruise ship for Commodore Cruise Line. Wallenius named the vessel Bohème, following its practice of using opera-related names. Passenger cabins replaced the planned car decks, and the superstructure was adapted for Caribbean cruising. The ship was delivered from Wärtsilä's Turku Shipyard on 12 November 1968. Bohème's first voyage included an accident in the Stockholm Archipelago, where the ship struck an underwater obstruction near Dalarö. The hull and fuel tanks were damaged, passengers were evacuated by lifeboat, and the ship was later refloated and repaired. After returning toward Miami without passengers, Bohème began regular commercial service on 7 December 1968, sailing between Miami and Caribbean destinations. The ship's early operation exposed difficulties with climate control in tropical conditions. A major refit in Hamburg in 1980 rebuilt the air-conditioning system and added equipment for refrigeration and freshwater production. Afterward, Bohème operated a regular seven-night itinerary linking Miami with Puerto Plata, Saint Thomas, San Juan, Cap-Haïtien, and other Caribbean ports. The vessel was an early operator of year-round seven-night Miami cruises and among the first cruise ships to make regular calls at Puerto Plata and Cap-Haïtien. Rederi Ab Sally acquired Commodore Cruise Line and Bohème in March 1981. The ship was re-registered in Panama, and changes in employment arrangements led to the replacement of much of the original German crew. From late 1982 through 1983, Bohème was chartered for South American cruises. It then received another refit in Bremerhaven, including new diesel generators, interior refurbishment, and a revised exterior appearance. A new itinerary introduced in 1984 proved difficult to operate because of tight scheduling, bad weather, and mechanical problems. The ship was temporarily chartered for a Miami–Freeport ferry service before returning to cruise service from St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1985. The Church of Scientology sought a dedicated ship for high-level religious training and established the Flag Ship Trust in December 1985. A Flag Ship Trust-related company purchased Bohème in September 1986 for conversion. The ship was renamed Freewinds and underwent a lengthy refit. Reference accounts describe disputes over design, construction management, alleged asbestos contamination, and the use of inexperienced labor during the work. Professional contractors were reportedly brought in after problems emerged, but the renovation remained delayed and eventually involved Scientologists with relevant technical skills. Freewinds returned to service in June 1988. Ownership and operation were arranged through several Scientology-affiliated entities. San Donato Properties Corporation owns the vessel, while the Flag Ship Trust is described as its ultimate controlling organization. Related companies historically handled mortgages, taxes, vessel operation, and shore support. The Flag Ship Service Organization functions as the ship's Scientology facility, providing religious courses and services, while Curaçao serves as the vessel's home port. Freewinds is now known principally for its religious role rather than its former cruise-line identity. It is the exclusive venue for OT VIII, the highest published Operating Thetan level in Scientology. The ship also provides lower-level instruction, auditing, member recreation, and annual organizational gatherings. Former member allegations concerning confinement, labor, and conditions aboard the ship have made Freewinds a subject of public controversy. Those allegations should be distinguished from the documented chronology of the vessel's construction, ownership, refits, and religious use.

• 1993

  Corporate arrangements simplified after U.S. tax agreement

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  Following the Church of Scientology's tax-exemption agreement with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, plans were made to simplify several corporate and reporting arrangements connected with the vessel.

• 1988

  Religious refit completed

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  Following a delayed and controversial conversion, the vessel returned to service in June as a Scientology training and retreat facility.

• 1986

  Acquisition and renaming as Freewinds

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  A Flag Ship Trust-related company acquired Bohème in September and began converting it for Church of Scientology use.

• 1985

  Flag Ship Trust established

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  A Scientology-affiliated trust was formed to support acquisition of a vessel for advanced religious training.

• 1981

  Acquired by Rederi Ab Sally

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  Commodore Cruise Line and Bohème became part of Finland-based Rederi Ab Sally, followed by a Panamanian re-registration and substantial crew changes.

• 1980

  Major technical refit in Hamburg

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  The air-conditioning system was rebuilt and additional freshwater and compressor equipment was installed to improve tropical operation.

• 1968

  Bohème delivered and enters cruise service

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  Wärtsilä delivered the ship from its Turku yard to Wallenius Lines on 12 November. After repairs following an early grounding, the vessel began Commodore Cruise Line's Caribbean cruise operations in December.

• 1966

  Original ferry order redirected

  [1]Freewindsen.wikipedia.org

  Lion Ferry's proposed second ferry order was cancelled as the planned Bremerhaven–Harwich service could not support two ships. The partly completed project was transferred to Wallenius Lines for completion as a cruise ship.

A specialized floating religious facility positioned by the Church of Scientology as a secluded, maritime setting for advanced training, religious services, member retreats, and organizational events.

• Religious training · 1988

  OT VIII training

  Freewinds is identified by Scientology as the exclusive venue for training in OT VIII, the highest published Operating Thetan level. The ship's secluded environment and dedicated course facilities are central to its role in delivering this advanced program.

• Religious services · 1988

  Scientology courses and auditing

  In addition to OT VIII, the vessel provides lower-level Scientology instruction and auditing services. Course rooms, religious facilities, a library, and related organizational spaces occupy a substantial part of the ship.

• Member event · 1988

  Freewinds Maiden Voyage and OT Summit

  The annual June gathering is a major internal Scientology event held aboard the ship. It is used to celebrate organizational achievements and present plans to senior or high-ranking members.

• 2011

  Allegations of confinement and forced labor

  Former Sea Organization member Valeska Paris alleged that she was taken aboard Freewinds as a teenager, had her passport confiscated, was required to perform manual labor, and was prevented from leaving the ship freely for an extended period. A former colleague was reported to have corroborated aspects of the account. These are allegations reported in public coverage and not presented here as independently adjudicated findings.

  Source

• 1986

  Allegations concerning asbestos during conversion

  Accounts by former participants in the ship's conversion alleged that renovation work disturbed asbestos-containing material and that warnings about potential exposure were disregarded. The account also described unsafe or poorly supervised construction practices. The claims are included as reported allegations.

  Source

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• 1986

  Convert a cruise ship into a religious facilityStrategy

  Background

  The Church of Scientology sought an ocean-going venue for advanced religious services, drawing on the maritime significance associated with the organization's early history.

  Action taken

  A Flag Ship Trust-related company purchased Bohème, renamed it Freewinds, and commissioned a conversion including course rooms, religious spaces, accommodation, and member facilities.

  Aftermath

  The refit was delayed and became the subject of allegations concerning management, construction quality, and asbestos exposure. The vessel eventually returned to service in June 1988.

  Source

1. 1Freewindsen.wikipedia.org