From deadly bacteria to bedbugs, rotten food to fire concerns – the Bibby’s 18-month stay in Portland has been both dramatic and tragic.
I remember tracking the tugboats as the barge first arrived in Falmouth for a refit in the summer of 2023, before broadcasting live alongside the huge grey rectangle at sea, as it floated into Dorset.
We were given access to film onboard the Bibby shortly before the first asylum seekers arrived.
Eight-metre-high spiked metal fences surrounded it – police guards at its entrance.
The Home Office spokesperson on the ground refuted my claims that this was like a floating prison.
Onboard the rooms were basic, functional, fine for a night I thought – but not for months on end.
We were there on the Monday in August as the first 39 men arrived – but just four days later we were back at the gates of Portland Port, as a coach evacuated them.
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The legionella bacteria outbreak inside the Bibby’s water system was the first of a litany of problems and it was clear the barge was going to be a controversial symbol for all that was wrong with asylum policy.
“I can guarantee you most of the people in the barge took depression tablets, most of us, even me,” Omar tells me.
The asylum seeker from Yemen was housed on the Bibby for six months – he’s now in the North East, still awaiting a decision on his future.
“To give you the real idea, it is worse than being imprisoned. I haven’t been imprisoned in my entire life, but now when people ask I say ‘yeah, I’ve been on the Bibby Stockholm,'” he added.
Local opinion in Portland was mixed and tense. Most months there were small protests.
Some were angry, worried about an influx of 500 men to an isle with a population of 13,000.
Many supportive – delivering welcome packs of chocolate, flowers and toothbrushes to the port gates.
Our next dash down for breaking news came in December 2023. We had heard reports of police and ambulances rushing to the barge overnight.
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The death of Leonard Farruku, 27, onboard the barge highlighted the mental health crisis many of the residents were facing. It’s understood he took his own life – an inquest into his death will continue later this year.
In July 2024, the new Labour government announced it would not renew the contract to run the Bibby and the barge would be handed back by the end of January.
All asylum seekers were rehoused by the end of November.
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For those who were put onboard, like Omar, the Bibby’s departure is welcome news: “We are kind of happy because no more people will face the same issue, this is what makes us happy to be honest with you. No one will come and suffer like us before.”
January 2025 – and as we stood on slipway by the port gates, the Bibby remains in dock, floating empty.
One local asks us if it’s gone yet, “They’ll probably sneak it out in the dead of night,” he adds.
For a host of reasons, there will not be many here who will miss it.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
