The
Sea Organization (
Sea Org) is an unincorporated
fraternal religious order of the
Church of Scientology, comprising the church's most dedicated members. It has been described by some as a
paramilitary and as a private naval force, having operated several vessels in its past and displaying a strong maritime tradition. As of 2009, it consisted of approximately 5,000 members, according to official Scientology statistics. The Sea Org was established on 12 August 1967 by
L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of
Dianetics and
Scientology, initially onboard four ships, the
Diana, the
Athena, the
Apollo, and the
Excalibur.