The cruise ship MV Freewinds is described on the Scientology website as “a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling in the Scientology religion.” It is also home to at least one confirmed case of the measles. The Caribbean nation of St. Lucia has quarantined the 440′ ship with 300 aboard in an attempt to avoid the spread of the contagious illness.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease. Anyone who is not adequately immunized against measles can contract the disease, if there has been close contact with a confirmed case,” according to a statement issued Wednesday by Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, the island nation’s chief medical officer. “It is therefore likely that other persons on the boat may have been exposed.”
“The ship’s doctor has the confirmed case in isolation on the ship,” Dr. Fredericks-James added. “The individual is in stable condition.”
While no one has been allowed to leave the ship, St. Lucian authorities said they don’t have the authority to keep it from leaving. The ship is scheduled to leave St. Lucia at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, officials said.
“The ship can leave our port, but we have no jurisdiction over their next destination,” Dr. Fredericks-James told NBC News.
The highly infectious disease, which can be prevented by a common vaccination, is in the midst of its largest outbreak in a quarter century in the United States, with more than 700 cases reported.
Hollywood Reporter notes that Scientology has never made any public pronouncements discouraging members from vaccinations, but the organization’s aggressive opposition to other forms of Western medicine, specifically psychiatry, is well-documented.
Buy Merck MRK!
Cant wait for the justification from Tom Cruise.
Serves the anti-right!
It was with considerable amusement that one visited the MS Freewinds website. The pictures are beautiful and amongst her many “Master Mariners” is listed L. Ron Hubbard as Commodore no less. Well he may have been “commodore” but never was he a Master Mariner. When the ship was new I was on board as 2nd. Officer for Commodore Cruise Lines. Some years later when sailing in another cruise ship we were in port together. On attempting to visit her I was refused permission after a consultation amongst the duty Officers who turned out to be Eastern Europeans. Later the vessel was served an Admiralty Writ and the crew removed and the vessel placed under arrest. This was around the time she was acquired by the Scientology Church.
Will the rest of the passengers bring a class action against the person with the disease for spoiling their holiday because he/she should have taken reasonable precautions?
Americans are good at this sort of thing.
Jean-Pierre I very much doubt it as the ship is reserved for the members of Scientology not really the general public. I did not mention that she was originally the MS Boheme of Wallenius Line built for Commodore Cruise Line. Also she was the first cruise ship built by Finland at Turku yard who nowadays build many of these huge complex floating resorts called “cruise ships” for passengers called “guests” and yes they are still good at filing lawsuits !!