Lawrence Woodcraft (Astra Woodcraft's father) stated in a 2001 Declaration he reported the presence of Blue Asbestos to Sea Org officers in 1987, who refused to remove it.

http://www.lermanet.com/scientology/LawrenceWoodcraftAsbestos.htm

Ship of Fools

Scientology has known very well about this asbestos for at least seven years. Lawrence Woodcraft was the architect who designed the Freewinds' interior spaces when the cult purchased the ship in the 1980s. In a 2001affidavit, Woodcraft gives the full story of Scientology's knowledge about the blue asbestos (Google: "Declaration of Lawrence Woodcraft").

Scientology's fancy cruise ship will now be a huge "albatross around their neck," as it would cost more than the ship itself is worth to remove all the asbestos. It will be difficult if not impossible for them to find a place to "scrap" it, as the usual toxic-ship-scrapping grounds of India, Bangladesh etc. will now refuse to accept asbestos-laden failboats.

Meanwhile, Scientology is forced to cancel several major conferences (about crazy or nonsensical things, of course) that they had planned to convene on the death ship in the next few months.

Just another shitty day in Scientology paradise. The end is coming soon.

If the reports are true, it sounds like the Church of Scientology knowingly exposed members to carcinogens for decades.

That's right, and I should have articulated it better: A minimum of seven years, and much more likely 20+ years of prior knowledge.

It's not just asbestos, but blue asbestos -- the most deadly of all. Whereas many asbestos fibers are elongated with little hooks on the end, blue asbestos is like one of those little prickly balls that get all over one's clothes in a field. It hooks right into the lungs and causes asbestosis and mesothelioma, a very deadly cancer that takes lives quickly and relentlessly.

Unfortunately, the "church" is a slippery shell game of dummy corporations and labyrinthine structures of ownership. This ship is ostensibly owned by Majestic Cruise Lines, another corporate entity of the Scientology umbrella. I haven't researched it extensively, but I believe that to be the case. (check it out on Wikipedia). Undoubtedly, Miscavige and others schemed to structure it that way in an effort to protect the "church" from liability for the known carcinogen exposure.

It is to be hoped that knowledgeable lawyers and skilled investigators can firmly establish the CoS's responsibility for exposing others, covering up the asbestos danger, and compelling members to attend these "luxurious" cruises despite the hazards. Those who develop mesothelioma as a result of that wilful negligence deserve compensation and health care to have a fighting chance at life.

I don't see what the big deal is. If they all get cancer, can't they just do touch assists to get rid of it?

Black Machine: It depends if they have the money for it... and I bet a cruise wasn't cheap, and no refunds :P

Silly Wogs. Don't you realize that asbestos doesn't cause cancer.....no, cancer is caused by fiberglass and Body Thetans. As per LRH (who never died, but instead discarded his body so he could move further up the Bridge to total madness).

And a few less Sea Org criminals in the world is a bad thing how????

I smell possible major lawsuits.

Footbullet indeed

local paper's story - the ship is definitely sealed up

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287791

WILLEMSTAD: During refurbishing and reparatory work, which involved removing the ceiling and panelling on cruise ship Freewinds, blue asbestos was released and ended up in the ventilation system.
Freewinds' captain did not report this when it's own personnel were working on the ship on the Mathey warf in Otrobanda. The Curacao Drydock Company (CDM), where the ship was taken for reparatory work on the hull, heard from the surveyor that there may be asbestos on the ship. The captain acknowledged the incident and said that after the incident Freewinds had some investigation done. Keeping the incident quiet became more noticeable when it turned out that the 40-year-old ship contatined blue asbestos.
The question is whether or not the blue asbestos dust, which can cause cancer, can be removed from the ship. The CDM has stopped all work on the ship. The ship was sealed and isolated and experts will investigate and measure the presence of asbestos dust in the hull and surrounding areas. Commissioners Eugene Rhuggenaath (Economic Affairs) and Humphrey Davelaar (Public Health) said on Friday.
CDM interim director Frank Esser, deputy head of the Department of Labour Affairs Christiene van der Biezen were accompanied by two inspectors and head of the health Department Tico Ras. Samples taken from the panelling last week by inspectors that were sent to the Netherlands showed that they contained significant amounts of blue asbestos. After an extraordinary meeting, the Executive Council decided to inform the public in general about the incident to avoid remours and panic.
The CDM personnel were also informed via the media because it was impossible to gather all the workers Friday evening to personally give them the information.

As we all know by now asbestos can be anywhere, even in those places we least expect it to be. The good news is that they discovered this problem and they can fix it until any other harm is done, the bad news is that asbestos might also be on other ships and they all should be checked.