CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Vessels and vessel improvements, accumulated depreciation	$ 209,804,715	$ 176,824,438
Other fixed assets, accumulated amortization	228,796	153,375
Stockholder's Equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorizes (in shares)	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	62,642,986	62,560,436
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	62,642,986	62,560,436
Retained earnings, dividends declared	$ 262,118,388	$ 262,118,388