Portland migrant barge: Fire safety checks not completed
Downing Street says the Bibby Stockholm is still undergoing 'final preparations'
Dorset's fire service has confirmed it's 'made suggestions' about the migrant barge in Portland Port - after reports it's not passed fire safety checks.
The Bibby Stockholm - which can house 500 asylum seekers - was expected to welcome the first group of men tomorrow (Tuesday 1st August).
The Prime Minister's press secretary said:
"The Bibby Stockholm is currently undergoing final preparations including fire safety checks. That's happening this week to ensure that it complies with all the appropriate regulations. There's been refurbishment that's been ongoing to ensure it complies with the marine industry safety regulations.
"As you'd expect, we continue to work extremely closely with the local council... to ensure the right preparations are in place before anyone boards."
Fire chiefs say they don't need to sign off the barge but can carry out checks in future, and consider enforcement action if necessary.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Safety Manager, Group Manager Graham Kewley said:
“DWFRS continues to liaise with partner agencies, the Bibby Stockholm’s operator and the Home Office through the Multi Agency Forum and relevant subgroups.
"Responsibility for planning, implementing and managing the safety of barge residents’ rests with the Responsible Person, as defined in fire safety legislation, in conjunction with the master of the vessel.
"Where any aspect falls within the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, we will be undertaking appropriate audits to confirm that adequate general fire precautions are in place. We have provided advice and comment in relation to fire safety arrangements to both the Home Office and the vessels operators during our familiarisation and pre-occupation visits.
"The fire risk assessment is the appropriate mechanism for determining the planning, organisation, management and control of fire safety measures, and responsibility rests with CTM and Landry & Kling as the vessel operator - under their contract with the Home Office - to produce and keep this document under review.
"We do not conduct fire risk assessments or provide an approval process prior to occupation of a premises but will exercise our enforcement powers (either formal or informal) to address any significant areas of non-compliance where necessary.
"It would be inappropriate for DWFRS to provide further detail on the specific systems and emergency plans in place, as these could impact upon the safety of the vessel and/or its occupants. This aligns with our approach to any other commercial or residential premises.”
Labour’s Shadow Safeguarding Minister Jess Philips says the safety of the barges isn't the only issue:
"These barges aren't instead of the spiralling cots of putting asylum seekers into hotels, they are in addition to. It's an absolute sign that the Government's failed to clear the backlog."
In a statement released when the barge first docked in Portland, a Home Office spokesperson said:
“The vessel will provide appropriate accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute in a carefully managed way for the community.
“The safety and security of the local community and those accommodated on the vessel is of the utmost importance. All asylum seekers are checked against policing and immigration databases, as well as having health checks before arriving on the vessel.
"We will continue to work closely with key local partners as the first group of asylum seekers arrive and are providing a substantial funding package to Dorset Council, NHS Dorset and Dorset Police.”
Campaigners to hold 'welcome event' for refugees moving onto barge
A number of groups have been vocal in their opposition of people being housed on the Bibby Stockholm, for different reasons.
Stand Up To Racism Dorset is worried that a barge isn't a suitable place for migrants to be staying.
They're holding a 'welcome party' tomorrow morning (Tuesday 1st August) ahead of people arriving there to live while their Home Office asylum applications are processed.
Lynne Hubbard, Joint Chair of Stand Up to Racism Dorset said:
“We welcome refugees. We’re opposed to this prison barge and no one should be moved onto a vessel that’s unsafe. At the same time, we want refugees placed on the Bibby Stockholm to know we stand with them against the government’s hostile policies, which encourage racism and hostility, and that people in Dorset are offering support.”
Stand Up to Racism Dorset, trade unions and faith groups are joining newly formed networks of local people set up to welcome the refugees.
The group plans to spell out the Welcome message in specially made giant letters and provide 50 welcome packs which local people have made up to assist the refugees.
Lynne Hubbard said:
“Many people have come forward with everything from clothing and toiletries to assistance with legal issues, English language, sporting activities and social events.
“Refugees are here because of crises in which they have been compelled to flee war and persecution. It’s cruel to cram them onto the Bibby Stockholm, which is being converted to house double the number of people for which it was designed. We deplore the decision of Langham Industries, owners of Portland Port, to berth the barge. They are profiting from human tragedy.
“The Government is wasting millions paying Langham Industries and the owners of the barge. It should be investing in an effective system for dealing with asylum applications and tackling the vast backlog of cases.”