CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated depreciation for vessels and vessel improvements (in dollars)	$ 276,929,765	$ 239,568,767
Accumulated depreciation for other fixed assets (in dollars)	420,668	324,691
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	15,771,496	15,771,496
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,771,496	15,771,496
Retained earnings, dividends declared (in dollars)	$ 262,118,388	$ 262,118,388