CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Vessels and vessel improvements, accumulated depreciation (in dollars)	$ 314,700,681	$ 239,568,767
Other fixed assets, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	515,896	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	16,638,092	15,750,796	[1]
Common stock, shares outstanding	16,638,092	15,750,796	[1]
Retained earnings, dividends declared (in dollars)	$ 262,118,388	$ 262,118,388

[1] Adjusted to give effect to the 1 for 4 reverse stock split that became effective on May 22, 2012, see Note 11.