Misplaced Pages

Bibby Stockholm: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 13:02, 17 July 2023 editMmberney (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users6,850 edits History: Link added← Previous edit Latest revision as of 16:33, 27 November 2024 edit undoGeni (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators37,898 edits UK asylum containment site: The final eight asylum seekers left the barge at the end of November 2024 
(105 intermediate revisions by 38 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Accommodation vessel}} {{Short description|Accommodation vessel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}


{|{{Infobox ship begin <!-- commercial vessels --> {|{{Infobox ship begin <!-- commercial vessels -->
Line 9: Line 9:
| Ship image = Bibby Stockholm, Falmouth Docks, 2023.jpg | Ship image = Bibby Stockholm, Falmouth Docks, 2023.jpg
| Ship image size = | Ship image size =
| Ship caption = ''Bibby Stockholm'' at ] in 2023. | Ship caption = ''Bibby Stockholm'' at ] in 2023
| image alt = A red and grey, box-shaped hotel barge. It is four storeys tall and looks like an office block or similar high-density building. | image alt = A red and grey, box-shaped hotel barge. It is four storeys tall and looks like an office block or similar high-density building.
}} }}
Line 15: Line 15:
| Hide header = | Hide header =
| Ship name = ''Bibby Stockholm'' | Ship name = ''Bibby Stockholm''
| Ship owner = Bibby Maritime | Ship owner = Bibby Marine Ltd
| Ship operator = | Ship operator =
| Ship registry = ], Barbados | Ship registry = ], Barbados
Line 59: Line 59:
| Ship capacity = | Ship capacity =
| Ship crew = | Ship crew =
| Ship notes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Factsheet |url=https://n01.0d2.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Stockholm-Factsheet.pdf |work=n01.0d2.myftpupload.com |access-date=2023-04-05}}</ref> | Ship notes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Factsheet |url=https://n01.0d2.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Stockholm-Factsheet.pdf |work=n01.0d2.myftpupload.com |access-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404201335/https://n01.0d2.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Stockholm-Factsheet.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2023}}</ref>
}} }}
|} |}
Line 66: Line 66:


==History== ==History==
The ship was built in 1976 and is flagged in ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bibby Stockholm |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:895109/mmsi:-8869476/imo:8869476/vessel:BIBBY_STOCKHOLM |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Marine Traffic |language=en}}</ref> It was converted into an accommodation barge in 1992.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJa3AAAAIAAJ |title=Merchant Fleets in Profile: The Burma boats: Henderson & Bibby |date=1978 |publisher=P. Stephens |via=books.google.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=BalticShipping.com |title=BalticShipping.com |url=https://www.balticshipping.com/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.balticshipping.com |language=en}}</ref> It was formerly known as ''Floatel Stockholm'' and ''Dino I.<ref name=":1" />'' The ship was built in 1976 and is flagged in ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bibby Stockholm |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:895109/mmsi:-8869476/imo:8869476/vessel:BIBBY_STOCKHOLM |url-access=subscription |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Marine Traffic |language=en}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=verification not possible without subscription|date=August 2024}} It was converted into an accommodation barge in 1992.<ref>{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJa3AAAAIAAJ |title=Merchant Fleets in Profile: The Burma boats: Henderson & Bibby |date=1978 |publisher=P. Stephens |via=books.google.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=BalticShipping.com |url=https://www.balticshipping.com/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=balticshipping.com |language=en}}</ref> It was formerly known as ''Floatel Stockholm'' and ''Dino I.<ref name=":1" />''


From 1994 to 1998, it was used to house the homeless, including some asylum seekers, in ], Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Große Anfrage. Bürgerschaft Der Freien Und Hansestadt Hamburg Drucksache 20/ Wahlperiode - Free Download PDF |trans-title=Big request. Citizenship Of The Free And Hanseatic City Of Hamburg Printed matter 20/ election period |url=https://silo.tips/download/groe-anfrage-brgerschaft-der-freien-und-hansestadt-hamburg-drucksache-20-wahlper-9 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=silo.tips |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Koch |first=Sannah |date=1994-10-26 |title=Winternotprogramm: Ist mehr wirklich mehr? |trans-title=Winter emergency program: is more really more? |language=de |pages=22 |work=Die Tageszeitung: taz |url=https://taz.de/!1536861/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |issn=0931-9085}}</ref> From 1994 to 1998, it was used to house the homeless, including some asylum seekers, in ], Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title= Große Anfrage. Bürgerschaft Der Freien Und Hansestadt Hamburg Drucksache 20/ Wahlperiode - Free Download PDF |trans-title=Big request. Citizenship Of The Free And Hanseatic City Of Hamburg Printed matter 20/ election period |url=https://silo.tips/download/groe-anfrage-brgerschaft-der-freien-und-hansestadt-hamburg-drucksache-20-wahlper-9 |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=silo.tips |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Koch |first=Sannah |date=26 October 1994 |title=Winternotprogramm: Ist mehr wirklich mehr? |trans-title=Winter emergency program: is more really more? |language=de |pages=22 |work=Die Tageszeitung: taz |url=https://taz.de/!1536861/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |issn=0931-9085}}</ref> In 2005, it began to be used by the Netherlands to detain asylum seekers in ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Adu |first=Aletha |date=3 April 2023 |title=Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/03/home-office-to-announce-barge-as-accommodation-for-asylum-seekers |access-date=4 April 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


In 2005, it began to be used by the Netherlands to detain asylum seekers in ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adu |first=Aletha |date=2023-04-03 |title=Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/03/home-office-to-announce-barge-as-accommodation-for-asylum-seekers |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=John |date=2023-04-03 |title=Location chosen for mega-barge that will house 500 asylum seekers on UK coast |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/mega-barge-used-house-500-29621731 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=mirror |language=en}}</ref> In 2008, an asylum seeker resident of the ''Bibby Stockholm'' died of heart failure following repeated failures to provide adequate healthcare.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netherlands: Two deaths in immigration detention in 2 months |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2008/march/statewatch-news-online-netherlands-two-deaths-in-immigration-detention-in-2-months/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> In 2013, the barge was used by ] as accommodation for construction workers at the ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Barney |date=3 April 2023 |title=Pictured: 1970s Mega-barge Home Office wants to house 500 refugees in |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bibby-stockholm-megabarge-government-wants-to-use-to-house-refugees-b1072008.html |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SIBC - Home |url=http://www.sibc.co.uk/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=sibc.co.uk}}</ref> During this time, it was berthed at ], Scotland.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=27 August 2016 |title=Tagging order for man who claimed bombs were on barges |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2016/08/27/tagging-order-for-man-who-claimed-bombs-were-on-barges |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2015, a man from ], Ayrshire called ] to report that two bombs had been planted on barges: the accommodation ship ''Gemini'', and the ''Bibby Stockholm''.<ref name=":0" /> He admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour and was sentenced to a six-month tagging order.<ref name=":0" /> The barge was finally towed away from Lerwick by the Cypriot tug ''Mustang'' on 31 May 2017, although it had been unused for over a year.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2017 |title=Last 'floatel' leaves Lerwick Harbour |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2017/05/31/last-floatel-leaves-lerwick-harbour |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was subsequently towed to the Danish island of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Projects |url=http://www.shetlandmarineco.com/projects.html |access-date=4 April 2023 |website=Shetland Marineco Ltd |language=en}}</ref>


In August 2017, there was discussion by a property management company about leasing the barge to provide university accommodation to 400 students in ], Ireland, along with the ''Bibby Bergen''. However, the plan was generally not workable; the existing docks were not suitable, and the ] had ruled that such a use would require planning permission.<ref>{{cite news |title='Floating' accommodation for students being explored in Galway |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/floating-accommodation-for-students-being-explored-in-galway-1.3195047 |access-date=4 April 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
In 2013, the barge was used by ] as accommodation for construction workers at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Barney |date=2023-04-03 |title=Pictured: 1970s Mega-barge Home Office wants to house 500 refugees in |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bibby-stockholm-megabarge-government-wants-to-use-to-house-refugees-b1072008.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SIBC - Home |url=http://www.sibc.co.uk/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=www.sibc.co.uk}}</ref> During this time, it was berthed at ], Scotland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Shetland |date=2016-08-27 |title=Tagging order for man who claimed bombs were on barges |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2016/08/27/tagging-order-for-man-who-claimed-bombs-were-on-barges |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2015, a man from ], Ayrshire called ] to report that two bombs had been planted on barges - the accommodation ship ''Gemini'', and the ''Bibby Stockholm''.<ref name=":0" /> He admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour and was sentenced to a six-month tagging order.<ref name=":0" /> The barge was finally towed away from Lerwick by the Cypriot tug ''Mustang'' on 31 May 2017, although it had been unused for over a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Shetland |date=2017-05-31 |title=Last 'floatel' leaves Lerwick Harbour |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2017/05/31/last-floatel-leaves-lerwick-harbour |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was subsequently towed to the Danish island of ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Projects |url=http://www.shetlandmarineco.com/projects.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Shetland Marineco Ltd |language=en}}</ref>


In June 2018, the barge was moved to ], Sweden, to assist in the construction of ].<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Ian |date=18 October 2018 |title=Bibby Maritime achieves full utilisation |url=https://bibbylinegroup.co.uk/bibby-maritime-achieves-full-utilisation/ |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=Bibby Line Group |language=en-GB}}</ref> It stayed there until at least 2019.
In August 2017, there was some discussion by a property management company about leasing the barge to provide university accommodation to 400 students in ], Ireland, along with the ''Bibby Bergen''. However, the plan was generally not workable - the existing docks were not suitable, and the ] had ruled that such a use would require planning permission.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Floating' accommodation for students being explored in Galway |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/floating-accommodation-for-students-being-explored-in-galway-1.3195047 |access-date=2023-04-04 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>


==UK asylum containment site==
In June 2018, the barge was moved to ], Sweden, to assist in the construction of ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Ian |date=2018-10-18 |title=Bibby Maritime achieves full utilisation |url=https://bibbylinegroup.co.uk/bibby-maritime-achieves-full-utilisation/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Bibby Line Group |language=en-GB}}</ref> It stayed there until at least 2019.
]
In April 2023, the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry revealed the ] intended to use the Bibby Stockholm to house asylum seekers.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 April 2023 |work=Sunday Mirror |title=EXCLUSIVE: Pictured: Three-storey barge that could become floating hotel for refugees |url= https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/pictured-three-storey-barge-could-29608008 |access-date=12 May 2024}}</ref> The Government later confirmed it intended to bring the barge to ] in ],<ref>{{cite news |date=4 April 2023 |title=Asylum seeker barge plan could face legal challenge |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65172368 |access-date=4 April 2023}}</ref> stating it would "offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels",<ref>{{cite web |title=Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/03/home-office-to-announce-barge-as-accommodation-for-asylum-seekers |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> referring to the £5.6&nbsp;million daily bill for accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Migrants 'to be moved to giant barge and former RAF bases' in bid to slash £5.6m a day hotel costs |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/migrants-moved-giant-barge-former-raf-bases-bid-slash-hotel-costs/ |date=29 March 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=LBC News}}</ref> However, '']'' reported in July 2023 that the barge may only make a small cost saving.<ref>{{cite news |title=Housing asylum seekers on barge may only save £10 a person daily, report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/11/housing-asylum-seekers-on-barge-may-only-save-10-a-person-daily-report-says |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>


In April 2023, the ] announced plans to use the ship to house asylum seekers at ] in ],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-04 |title=Asylum seeker barge plan could face legal challenge |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65172368 |access-date=2023-04-04}}</ref> because it would "offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels",<ref>{{Cite web |title= Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/03/home-office-to-announce-barge-as-accommodation-for-asylum-seekers |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> referring to the £5.6m bill for accommodating asylum seekers in hotels.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Migrants 'to be moved to giant barge and former RAF bases' in bid to slash £5.6m a day hotel costs |url= https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/migrants-moved-giant-barge-former-raf-bases-bid-slash-hotel-costs/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=LBC News |language=en}}</ref> However, '']'' reported in July 2023 that the barge would deliver only a trivial cost saving.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Housing asylum seekers on barge may only save £10 a person daily, report says |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/11/housing-asylum-seekers-on-barge-may-only-save-10-a-person-daily-report-says |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The plan is for the barge to stay in the port for at least 18 months, containing 506 asylum seekers whose asylum claims are already being considered by the government.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Barge will house migrants set for asylum, not deportation |url= https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/barge-will-house-migrants-set-for-asylum-not-deportation-vtx87xnh7 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=The Times |language=en}}</ref> The barge would also contain healthcare provision, catering facilities, and 24-hour security.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vessel to accommodate migrants |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vessel-to-accommodate-migrants |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-05 |title=Barge to house 500 male migrants off Dorset coast, says government |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65193446 |access-date=2023-04-05}}</ref> The plans have met wide widespread opposition from humanitarian organisations,<ref>{{Cite web |title= Plans for new sites in UK for asylum seekers 'risk humanitarian catastrophe' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/06/plans-for-new-sites-in-uk-for-asylum-seekers-risk-humanitarian-catastrophe |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> the local MP<ref>{{Cite web |title= Dorset MP Richard Drax speaks out over Portland Port barge plan |url= https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23484454.dorset-mp-richard-drax-speaks-portland-port-barge-plan/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Dorset Echo |language=en}}</ref> and local authorities—who are ], the party in government. ] explored legal action to prevent the barge from arriving.<ref>{{cite news| last=Syal | first=Rajeev |title=Dorset Tories voice concerns about barge for asylum seekers |newspaper=The Guardian | date=3 May 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/03/dorset-tories-voice-concerns-about-asylum-seeker-barge}}</ref> On the morning of 17 July 2023, the barge left ] for Portland Port.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bibby Stockholm barge leaving Falmouth and on move to Dorset |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/bibby-stockholm-barge-leaving-falmouth-8605911 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=Cornwall Live |language=en}}</ref> The plan is for the three-storey barge to stay in the port for at least 18 months, containing 506 asylum applicants waiting for the outcome of ] decisions on their cases.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barge will house migrants set for asylum, not deportation |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/barge-will-house-migrants-set-for-asylum-not-deportation-vtx87xnh7 |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=The Times |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="easton1">{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Marcus |last2=Easton |first2=Mark |title=''Bibby Stockholm'': First asylum seekers board housing barge in Dorset |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66289857 |access-date=7 August 2023 |work=BBC News |date=7 August 2023}}</ref> The barge also contains healthcare provision, catering facilities, a multi-faith prayer room, a gym and 24-hour security.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vessel to accommodate migrants |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vessel-to-accommodate-migrants |access-date=5 April 2023 |publisher=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 April 2023 |title=Barge to house 500 male migrants off Dorset coast, says government |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65193446 |access-date=5 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stafford |first1=Stephen |last2=Davis |first2=Matthew |title=''Bibby Stockholm'': Migrants changing minds over move to barge - Robert Jenrick |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66447487 |work=BBC News |date=9 August 2023}}</ref> The plans met with widespread opposition from various humanitarian organisations,<ref>{{cite web |title=Plans for new sites in UK for asylum seekers 'risk humanitarian catastrophe' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/06/plans-for-new-sites-in-uk-for-asylum-seekers-risk-humanitarian-catastrophe |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> the local South Dorset MP ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Dorset MP Richard Drax speaks out over Portland Port barge plan |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23484454.dorset-mp-richard-drax-speaks-portland-port-barge-plan/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Dorset Echo}}</ref> and local authorities. ] explored legal action to prevent the barge from arriving.<ref>{{cite news |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |title=Dorset Tories voice concerns about barge for asylum seekers |work=The Guardian |date=3 May 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/03/dorset-tories-voice-concerns-about-asylum-seeker-barge}}</ref> Nevertheless, the barge left dry dock in ] on the morning of 17 July 2023 after several weeks' delay,<ref>{{cite news |title=''Bibby Stockholm'' begins journey to Portland Port |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23644102.bibby-stockholm-seen-leaving-falmouth-port |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Dorset Echo}}</ref> and arrived at Portland Port the following morning.<ref>{{cite web |title=Controversial ''Bibby Stockholm'' barge arrives in Portland amid protests |url=https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/controversial-bibby-stockholm-barge-arrives-8608969 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Dorset Live}}</ref>


In July 2023, an open letter signed by over fifty ]s and campaigners, including the ], called on the barge's owner, Bibby Marine, to acknowledge its founder ]'s links<ref>{{cite web |title=Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – Database (voyage IDs 81732, 83481 and 81106) |url=https://www.slavevoyages.org/voyage/database |access-date=22 August 2023 |website=SlaveVoyages}}</ref> to the ] and to end the practice of containing asylum seekers on its vessels.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Open Letter to Bibby Marine |url=https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/an-open-letter-to-bibby-marine/ |access-date=12 July 2023 |publisher=Refugee Council}}</ref> Later that month, a ''Financial Times'' investigation found the barge lacked fire exits<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ed6d313c-81f0-418e-89bd-c15c8c87761d |title=A boat to stop the boats? Bibby Stockholm and the battle over asylum |first=Horatio |last=Clare |date=22 July 2023}}</ref> and a ''Guardian'' report highlighted safety concerns, including potential overcrowding along with narrow corridors and a lack of lifejackets on board.<ref>{{cite web |title=First 50 people coming to ''Bibby Stockholm'' asylum barge despite safety worries |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/27/first-50-people-coming-to-bibby-stockholm-asylum-barge-despite-safety-worries |date=27 July 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> '']'' also reported there were concerns about fire safety.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Bibby Stockholm'' 'could become floating Grenfell'|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bibby-stockholm-could-become-floating-grenfell-pzqg2jtnc |date=31 July 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023 |work=The Times |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The ] questioned how firefighters would be able to cross narrow corridors and put out fires on a barge with 500 people as desired by the government, when it had been retrofitted for 222 only.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nicholls |first1=Catherine |author2=Sana Noor Haq |title=Asylum-seekers board UK's controversial 'deathtrap' housing barge |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/07/uk/bibby-stockholm-barge-asylum-seekers-intl-gbr/index.html |date=8 August 2023 |work=CNN}}</ref> The ] said the barge would "adhere to all relevant health and safety standards."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saull |first1=Peter |last2=Wadey |first2=Toby |title=''Bibby Stockholm'': Asylum barge not a death trap, minister Grant Shapps says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66381331 |access-date=8 August 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
In July 2023, an open letter signed by over 50 NGOs, MPs and peers called on the barge's owner, Bibby Marine, part of Bibby Line, to acknowledge its founder's roots in the ] and to end the practice of containing asylum seekers on its vessels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Open Letter to Bibby Marine |url=https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/latest/news/an-open-letter-to-bibby-marine/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=Refugee Council |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 August 2023, it was reported that the first group of 15 asylum-seekers had boarded the vessel, but a group of about 20 had refused to board.<ref name="easton1"/> On the same day, Dorset Council told the barge's operators that '']'' bacteria had been confirmed on the barge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contractors told about ''legionella'' on day asylum seekers boarded barge |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/13/home-office-was-told-about-legionella-on-refugees-barge-on-day-they-boarded |last=Taylor |first=Diane |date=13 August 2023 |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The asylum-seekers were evacuated a few days later, on 11 August.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2023 |title=Migrants being moved off barge over bacteria fears |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-66476538 |access-date=11 August 2023}}</ref>

On the same morning that the first asylum-seekers boarded the barge, Carralyn Parkes (the Mayor of Portland, but acting in a private capacity) wrote to the ] ] to announce that she was seeking a judicial review to challenge the failure to obtain necessary planning permission to use the ''Bibby Stockholm'' barge at Portland Port.<ref>{{cite news |title=Portland mayor's legal challenge over asylum seeker barge |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23709436.portland-mayor-set-sue-home-office-bibby-stockholm/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |work=Dorset Echo |last=Lawrence |first=Tom |date=8 August 2023}}</ref> On 21 August, Parkes added the ] as a co-defendant and informed Dorset Council that their continued failure to enforce planning rules over the barge would result in their also being named as co-defendants.<ref>{{cite news |title=''Bibby Stockholm'': Mayor looks to widen legal challenge over barge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66592760 |access-date=22 August 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref> On 27 August 2023, it was announced that the Fire Brigades Union had sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Home Office, warning of a legal challenge. According to the ''Guardian'', the Home Office had failed to arrange fire drills for residents of the barge or adequate risk assessments of the vessel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Syal |first1=Rajeev |last2=Taylor |first2=Diane |date=27 August 2023 |title=Braverman's plan to house UK asylum seekers on 'deathtrap' barge faces legal hurdle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/27/braverman-plan-to-house-uk-asylum-seekers-on-bibby-stockholm-barge-faces-legal-hurdle |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 September 2023}}</ref>

On 19 October, three ] protesters were arrested after obstructing a coach moving migrants back on to the barge.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mitib |first=Ali |date=19 October 2023 |title=Just Stop Oil protesters block coach taking migrants to Bibby Stockholm |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/just-stop-oil-protesters-block-coach-taking-migrants-to-bibby-stockholm-jp05nhz9s |work=The Times |access-date=12 December 2023 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

On 12 December, it was reported that an asylum seeker housed in the barge by the Home Office had committed suicide.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Lauren |last2=Symonds |first2=Tom |title=Bibby Stockholm: Asylum seeker on board barge dies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67692099 |date=12 December 2023 |work=BBC News |access-date=12 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Syal |first1=Rajeev |last2=Taylor |first2=Diane |last3=Crerar |first3=Pippa |last4=Gentleman |first4=Amelia |date=12 December 2023 |title=Calls grow for Bibby Stockholm barge to close after apparent suicide of resident |language=en-GB |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/12/calls-grow-for-bibby-stockholm-barge-to-close-after-apparent-suicide-of-resident |work=The Guardian |access-date=12 December 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On 27 December 2023 a report was published in error describing the use of the ''Bibby Stockholm'' as discriminatory on age and sex, although it noted that there were provisions in the ] that might allow such discrimination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bibby Stockholm discrimination report 'published in error' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-67847393 |website=www.bbc.com |access-date=30 December 2023 |date=30 December 2023}}</ref>

On 2 May 2024, forty-five protesters were arrested after obstructing a coach moving asylum seekers in ], London on the way to the barge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/bibby-stockholm-protesters-block-coach-as-they-try-to-stop-asylum-seekers-being-moved-to-barge-13127510|title=Bibby Stockholm: 45 arrests as protesters block coach in bid to stop asylum seekers being moved to barge|work=BBC News|date=2 May 2024|access-date=2 May 2024}}</ref>

The Bibby Stockholm's contract to hold asylum seekers is set to expire in January 2025, after which it will not be renewed according to the Home Office.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg640n3372qo|title=Bibby Stockholm migrant barge to be closed|work=]|date=23 July 2024|access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref> The final eight asylum seekers left the barge at the end of November 2024.<ref name=Cridland>{{cite news |last=Cridland  |first=Sophie |date=26 November 2024  |title=Final asylum seeker leaves Bibby Stockholm |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cew297pzdvko |work=BBC News |access-date=27 November 2024 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* ]


==References== ==References==
<references /> <references />

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*

{{coord|50.5688|-2.4353|display=title}}


] ]
] ]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 27 November 2024

Accommodation vessel

A red and grey, box-shaped hotel barge. It is four storeys tall and looks like an office block or similar high-density building.Bibby Stockholm at Falmouth Docks in 2023
History
NameBibby Stockholm
OwnerBibby Marine Ltd
Port of registryBridgetown, Barbados
BuilderNederlandse Scheepsbouw
Completed1976
Identification8869476
General characteristics
TypeAccommodation barge
Tonnage10,659 tons
Length93.44 m (306.6 ft)
Beam27.43 m (90.0 ft)
Draught2.2 m (7.2 ft)
Decks3
Notes

Bibby Stockholm, an engineless barge, is an accommodation vessel owned by the shipping and marine operations company Bibby Line.

History

The ship was built in 1976 and is flagged in Barbados. It was converted into an accommodation barge in 1992. It was formerly known as Floatel Stockholm and Dino I.

From 1994 to 1998, it was used to house the homeless, including some asylum seekers, in Hamburg, Germany. In 2005, it began to be used by the Netherlands to detain asylum seekers in Rotterdam.

In 2013, the barge was used by Petrofac as accommodation for construction workers at the Shetland Gas Plant. During this time, it was berthed at Lerwick, Scotland. In 2015, a man from Saltcoats, Ayrshire called Her Majesty's Coastguard to report that two bombs had been planted on barges: the accommodation ship Gemini, and the Bibby Stockholm. He admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour and was sentenced to a six-month tagging order. The barge was finally towed away from Lerwick by the Cypriot tug Mustang on 31 May 2017, although it had been unused for over a year. It was subsequently towed to the Danish island of Bornholm.

In August 2017, there was discussion by a property management company about leasing the barge to provide university accommodation to 400 students in Galway, Ireland, along with the Bibby Bergen. However, the plan was generally not workable; the existing docks were not suitable, and the Supreme Court of Ireland had ruled that such a use would require planning permission.

In June 2018, the barge was moved to Piteå, Sweden, to assist in the construction of Markbygden Wind Farm. It stayed there until at least 2019.

UK asylum containment site

Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port in 2023.

In April 2023, the Barbados Maritime Ship Registry revealed the Government of the United Kingdom intended to use the Bibby Stockholm to house asylum seekers. The Government later confirmed it intended to bring the barge to Portland Port in Dorset, stating it would "offer better value for money for taxpayers than hotels", referring to the £5.6 million daily bill for accommodating asylum seekers in hotels. However, The Guardian reported in July 2023 that the barge may only make a small cost saving.

The plan is for the three-storey barge to stay in the port for at least 18 months, containing 506 asylum applicants waiting for the outcome of Home Office decisions on their cases. The barge also contains healthcare provision, catering facilities, a multi-faith prayer room, a gym and 24-hour security. The plans met with widespread opposition from various humanitarian organisations, the local South Dorset MP Richard Drax and local authorities. Dorset Council explored legal action to prevent the barge from arriving. Nevertheless, the barge left dry dock in Falmouth on the morning of 17 July 2023 after several weeks' delay, and arrived at Portland Port the following morning.

In July 2023, an open letter signed by over fifty NGOs and campaigners, including the Refugee Council, called on the barge's owner, Bibby Marine, to acknowledge its founder John Bibby's links to the Atlantic slave trade and to end the practice of containing asylum seekers on its vessels. Later that month, a Financial Times investigation found the barge lacked fire exits and a Guardian report highlighted safety concerns, including potential overcrowding along with narrow corridors and a lack of lifejackets on board. The Times also reported there were concerns about fire safety. The Fire Brigades Union questioned how firefighters would be able to cross narrow corridors and put out fires on a barge with 500 people as desired by the government, when it had been retrofitted for 222 only. The Home Office said the barge would "adhere to all relevant health and safety standards."

On 7 August 2023, it was reported that the first group of 15 asylum-seekers had boarded the vessel, but a group of about 20 had refused to board. On the same day, Dorset Council told the barge's operators that Legionella bacteria had been confirmed on the barge. The asylum-seekers were evacuated a few days later, on 11 August.

On the same morning that the first asylum-seekers boarded the barge, Carralyn Parkes (the Mayor of Portland, but acting in a private capacity) wrote to the Home Secretary Suella Braverman to announce that she was seeking a judicial review to challenge the failure to obtain necessary planning permission to use the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port. On 21 August, Parkes added the Marine Management Organisation as a co-defendant and informed Dorset Council that their continued failure to enforce planning rules over the barge would result in their also being named as co-defendants. On 27 August 2023, it was announced that the Fire Brigades Union had sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Home Office, warning of a legal challenge. According to the Guardian, the Home Office had failed to arrange fire drills for residents of the barge or adequate risk assessments of the vessel.

On 19 October, three Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested after obstructing a coach moving migrants back on to the barge.

On 12 December, it was reported that an asylum seeker housed in the barge by the Home Office had committed suicide.

On 27 December 2023 a report was published in error describing the use of the Bibby Stockholm as discriminatory on age and sex, although it noted that there were provisions in the Equality Act that might allow such discrimination.

On 2 May 2024, forty-five protesters were arrested after obstructing a coach moving asylum seekers in Peckham, London on the way to the barge.

The Bibby Stockholm's contract to hold asylum seekers is set to expire in January 2025, after which it will not be renewed according to the Home Office. The final eight asylum seekers left the barge at the end of November 2024.

See also

References

  1. "Factsheet" (PDF). n01.0d2.myftpupload.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. "Bibby Stockholm". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. Haws, Duncan (1978). Merchant Fleets in Profile: The Burma boats: Henderson & Bibby. P. Stephens – via books.google.com.
  4. ^ "BalticShipping.com". balticshipping.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  5. "[PDF] Große Anfrage. Bürgerschaft Der Freien Und Hansestadt Hamburg Drucksache 20/ Wahlperiode - Free Download PDF" [Big request. Citizenship Of The Free And Hanseatic City Of Hamburg Printed matter 20/ election period]. silo.tips. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  6. Koch, Sannah (26 October 1994). "Winternotprogramm: Ist mehr wirklich mehr?" [Winter emergency program: is more really more?]. Die Tageszeitung: taz (in German). p. 22. ISSN 0931-9085. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  7. Adu, Aletha (3 April 2023). "Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  8. Davis, Barney (3 April 2023). "Pictured: 1970s Mega-barge Home Office wants to house 500 refugees in". Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  9. "SIBC - Home". sibc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Tagging order for man who claimed bombs were on barges". The Shetland Times. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  11. "Last 'floatel' leaves Lerwick Harbour". The Shetland Times. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  12. "Projects". Shetland Marineco Ltd. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  13. "'Floating' accommodation for students being explored in Galway". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  14. White, Ian (18 October 2018). "Bibby Maritime achieves full utilisation". Bibby Line Group. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  15. "EXCLUSIVE: Pictured: Three-storey barge that could become floating hotel for refugees". Sunday Mirror. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  16. "Asylum seeker barge plan could face legal challenge". BBC News. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  17. "Home Office to announce barge as accommodation for asylum seekers". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  18. "Migrants 'to be moved to giant barge and former RAF bases' in bid to slash £5.6m a day hotel costs". LBC News. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  19. "Housing asylum seekers on barge may only save £10 a person daily, report says". The Guardian. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  20. "Barge will house migrants set for asylum, not deportation". The Times. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  21. ^ White, Marcus; Easton, Mark (7 August 2023). "Bibby Stockholm: First asylum seekers board housing barge in Dorset". BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  22. "Vessel to accommodate migrants". GOV.UK. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  23. "Barge to house 500 male migrants off Dorset coast, says government". BBC News. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  24. Stafford, Stephen; Davis, Matthew (9 August 2023). "Bibby Stockholm: Migrants changing minds over move to barge - Robert Jenrick". BBC News.
  25. "Plans for new sites in UK for asylum seekers 'risk humanitarian catastrophe'". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  26. "Dorset MP Richard Drax speaks out over Portland Port barge plan". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  27. Syal, Rajeev (3 May 2023). "Dorset Tories voice concerns about barge for asylum seekers". The Guardian.
  28. "Bibby Stockholm begins journey to Portland Port". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  29. "Controversial Bibby Stockholm barge arrives in Portland amid protests". Dorset Live. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  30. "Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – Database (voyage IDs 81732, 83481 and 81106)". SlaveVoyages. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  31. "An Open Letter to Bibby Marine". Refugee Council. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  32. Clare, Horatio (22 July 2023). "A boat to stop the boats? Bibby Stockholm and the battle over asylum".
  33. "First 50 people coming to Bibby Stockholm asylum barge despite safety worries". The Guardian. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  34. "Bibby Stockholm 'could become floating Grenfell'". The Times. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  35. Nicholls, Catherine; Sana Noor Haq (8 August 2023). "Asylum-seekers board UK's controversial 'deathtrap' housing barge". CNN.
  36. Saull, Peter; Wadey, Toby. "Bibby Stockholm: Asylum barge not a death trap, minister Grant Shapps says". BBC News. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  37. Taylor, Diane (13 August 2023). "Contractors told about legionella on day asylum seekers boarded barge". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  38. "Migrants being moved off barge over bacteria fears". BBC News. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  39. Lawrence, Tom (8 August 2023). "Portland mayor's legal challenge over asylum seeker barge". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  40. "Bibby Stockholm: Mayor looks to widen legal challenge over barge". BBC News. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  41. Syal, Rajeev; Taylor, Diane (27 August 2023). "Braverman's plan to house UK asylum seekers on 'deathtrap' barge faces legal hurdle". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  42. Mitib, Ali (19 October 2023). "Just Stop Oil protesters block coach taking migrants to Bibby Stockholm". The Times. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  43. Turner, Lauren; Symonds, Tom (12 December 2023). "Bibby Stockholm: Asylum seeker on board barge dies". BBC News. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  44. Syal, Rajeev; Taylor, Diane; Crerar, Pippa; Gentleman, Amelia (12 December 2023). "Calls grow for Bibby Stockholm barge to close after apparent suicide of resident". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  45. "Bibby Stockholm discrimination report 'published in error'". www.bbc.com. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  46. "Bibby Stockholm: 45 arrests as protesters block coach in bid to stop asylum seekers being moved to barge". BBC News. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  47. "Bibby Stockholm migrant barge to be closed". BBC News. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  48. Cridland, Sophie (26 November 2024). "Final asylum seeker leaves Bibby Stockholm". BBC News. Retrieved 27 November 2024.

External links

50°34′08″N 2°26′07″W / 50.5688°N 2.4353°W / 50.5688; -2.4353

Categories: