As first reported today by Tony Ortega at the Underground Bunker and then confirmed by multiple news outlets, Scientology’s cruise ship the MV Freewinds and its 300 passengers and crew have been quarantined in St. Lucia due to a confirmed case of measles aboard. According to reports, a crew member tested positive for measles at a doctor’s office in Aruba. The crew member then reboarded the MV Freewinds. The vessel weighed anchor and sailed to St. Lucia. It appears that the health in authorities in Aruba notified their counterparts in St. Lucia of the threat heading its way.
READ OUR ARTICLE ON THE HISTORY OF THE MV FREEWINDS
As is happening now with the measles quarantine, the MV Freewinds gained unwanted attention last year when it was used as a prop in a bogus award ceremony for Scientology leader David Miscavige. Conducted in Bridgetown, Barbados the event featured retired Colombian Police General Carlos Ramiro Mena Bravo awarding Miscavige an unauthorized medal. This unsanctioned ceremony took place and caused an uproar in the Colombian media.
Scientology’s highest level — OT VIII — is delivered only aboard the MV Freewinds. Scientology conventions are also held aboard the vessel. Just a few weeks ago the ship hosted Black Scientologists convention in Aruba:
Close up photos of the MV Freewinds show panting stresses on the hull plates of the ship:
Designed originally as a North Sea car ferry, the vessel was laid down in 1968 in the Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland. During construction the vessel was converted into a cruise ship and purchased by the Wallenius Lines. Christened the MS Bohème, the ship served Wallenius Lines for 18 years and was sold to the Church of Scientology in 1986.
Rechristened the MV Freewinds the vessel has had a controversial history in which several former Sea Org crew members have stated that they were held aboard the ship as prisoners. Former MV Freewinds Engineer Scott Campbell went through hell and back during his time of the Scientology ship: