SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jan. 18, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member]	Feb. 21, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Series A Preferred Shares [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issuance of shares, net of underwriter fees													$ 23,750,000
Issuance of shares (in shares)													250,000
Share price of preferred stock (in dollars per share)													$ 100
Dividends payable (in hundredths)													9.50%
Preferred stock, stated liquidation preference (in dollars per share)													$ 100.00
Cash redemption price (in dollars per share)													$ 100.00
Preferred stock redemption period													120 days
Charter hire revenues	$ 56,810,000	$ 61,162,000	$ 60,320,000	$ 65,204,000	$ 61,814,000	$ 67,087,000	$ 69,961,000	$ 64,334,000	$ 243,496,000	$ 263,196,000	$ 290,049,000	$ 11,800,000
Remaining period of time charter party												2 years