Just a few months after evacuating asylum seekers from Bibby Stockholm following the discovery of legionella bacteria in the water supply, the Government decided to return them to the barge on October 19.
However, their plans were thrown into chaos when Just Stop Oil protesters managed to stop the coach carrying the men to the vessel in Portland. The activists blocked the vehicle’s way to the island.
Meanwhile, 50 other local campaigners and residents were gathered at the gates of the port to object the decision to return the asylum seekers to the barge.
The Home Office responded to the events, saying: “The disruption caused in Portland by a small group of people is totally unacceptable. We are liaising closely with the police as they continue their investigations and to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.”
Amid the news, here is a look at what we know about Bibby Stockholm, including its history, and where it is docked in England.
What is Bibby Stockholm?
Bibby Stockholm is an engineless barge that is used as an accommodation vessel. Its name comes from the shipping and marine operations company that owns it, which is Bibby Line.
The ship was built back in 1976 before being transformed into an accommodation hub in 1992.
Between 1994 and 1998, it was used for the homeless in Hamburg, Germany. And in 2005, the Netherlands used it to detain asylum seekers in Rotterdam.
Later, in 2013, the barge was used as a house for construction workers at the Shetland Gas Plant.
In August 2017, a property management company briefly considered using the barge as student accommodation for university pupils in Galway, Ireland but it never materialised.
In June 2018, Sweden used it during the construction of the Markbygden Wind Farm, where it stayed until 2019.
In 2023, the UK government revealed its plans to use the barge as housing for asylum seekers.
Where is Bibby Stockholm?
Bibby Stockholm is currently docked in the port of Portland, in Dorset.
The 222-room barge consists of three storeys and will house up to 500 men aged between 18-65 from various countries.
Senior ministers reportedly want to confirm the use of further barges in the coming months, but have been struggling to find hosts for them. The BBC reports that a site next to London City Airport and another on the River Mersey in Wirral were among those rejected.
🚨 NEW | We have written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman to ask for a meeting about our safety concerns on the Bibby Stockholm.
— Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) August 2, 2023
As the union representing the overwhelming majority of firefighters, we are driven by the need to prevent loss of life and protect public safety. pic.twitter.com/Y1g0QYZpOY
What are the fire safety concerns around Bibby Stockholm?
The Fire Brigades Union has raised concerns over the barge’s narrow exits and the possible overcrowding it may cause.
In an open letter to Home SecretarySuella Braverman, they said: “Firefighting operations on vessels such as the Bibby Stockholm provide significant challenges and require specialist training and safe systems of work. The diminished safety provisions only exacerbate our operational concerns.”
They added: “We are concerned about the risks on a large floating structure used to accommodate asylum seekers in long-term housing and would expect the risk assessment to recommend substantial prevention and control measures to tackle overcrowding, access to fire exits and other safety matters on the vessel.”
However, Energy Secretary Grant Schapps told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “This actual ship was previously used by Germany to house migrants, there’s no reason why it wouldn’t be absolutely safe. Ships are used to transport people all the time and there’s no inherent reason why that (not being safe) would be the case.”
What sort of accommodation does the barge offer asylum seekers?
Asylum seekers who are sent to live on the barge aren’t offered it as a choice, but rather a conclusive decision made by the government.
During their stay, they are required to sign in and out of the barge so that the Home Office can ensure their “safety”.
The inhabitants of the barge will each have to share a room and have access to a nurse on board, as well as English classes, recreational space, and activities run by volunteers, according to a letter sent by the Home Office.
