Freewinds
Freewinds is a cruise ship operated by the Church of Scientology. Its home port is Curaçao, and it frequents the Netherlands Antilles and the Caribbean.
The ship, formerly known as the La Boheme and owned by Commodore Cruise Lines, was purchased by Majestic Cruises in 1986 and subsequently renamed the Freewinds in its home port of Curaçao.
In addition to its use as a religious retreat for Scientologists, the Freewinds hosts local functions in the ports it frequents, such as jazz concerts in Curaçao. It also caters to different international conferences and events.
The Freewinds is the exclusive training center for OT VIII (Operating Thetan Level 8), the highest level of Scientology and the last of the published OT levels. The next levels OT 9 & OT 10 have not been released yet, and, supposedly, L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology's founder) has written levels up to OT 15. Initiates who have reached the highest levels must receive their training on the Freewinds, as the Church does not allow it to take place in any other location.
Besides the OT VIII training, the Freewinds is used for delivering lower-level classes and auditing services. Freewinds is also used as a recreational vessel for celebrities such as Tom Cruise.
Former Scientologist architect Lawrence Woodcraft stated in an affidavit in 2001 that the ship contains large amounts of lethal asbestos [1] (http://xenutv.bogie.nl/interviews/lawrence-freewinds.htm).
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