Standing behind a 15ft metal fencing and two sets of guarded gates, the Bibby Stockholm – the Home Office’s first asylum seeker barge – has stood empty since it arrived in Dorset three weeks ago.
But the three-level vessel, docked in the picturesque port of Portland, has now taken its first occupants on board, with hundreds more set to be moved to the 222-cabin barge in the coming days.
The first group of migrants arrived on the boat on Monday as ministers pushed on with the plans, despite a raft of opposition and repeated delays.
Once it is filled, up to six people will be packed into each of the beige-walled rooms, which line endless narrow linoleum-floored corridors.
Most cabins feature an austere two-person bunk bed, desk, metal wardrobe and en-suite bathroom, with the door just an arm’s length away from the bedframe. But a small number of slightly larger rooms have two or three bunk beds in each.
Televisions hang on the wall but have been disconnected from all networks, in a move contractors hope will encourage migrants to “socialise” and take part in communal activities.
Calculations by The Independent show that, at full capacity, each asylum seeker will have less living space than an average car parking bay, even when taking shared spaces and outdoor courtyards into account.
And for the 500 people the government intends to pack on board, coming and going will not be easy.
Every time they enter and leave the barge, they must go through airport-style security with walk-through scanners and checks on any bags or shopping.
Security guards will be on board at all hours, including some with a military background, who have been trained for a range of scenarios including potential disputes and fights.
No one can leave the “secure compound” surrounding the vessel without waiting for a shuttle bus to take them to the port exit, which officials say is needed for safety reasons.
Once at the main gates, anyone is free to leave but the Home Office is trying to incentivise asylum seekers to make use of hourly buses into the resort town of Weymouth.
People will be subject to a voluntary code of conduct, which includes returning to the barge by 11pm and sleeping there every night. Guests are not allowed, and anyone who is not back by that time will be phoned and offered a taxi to collect them.
Officials showing journalists around the Bibby Stockholm on Friday detailed a host of planned activities including sports events, allotments, cycling, hiking and festival excursions.
English classes are also being planned, and contractors are setting up a computer room and TV lounges on board.
A view of inside one of the bedrooms onboard the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge at Portland Port in Dorset, which will house up to 500 asylum seekers.
There are two outdoor courtyards, a gym and a multi-faith prayer room, although a bar advertised on owner Bibby Marine’s website is now off-limits to asylum seekers and reserved as a staff lounge.
A raft of contractors commissioned by Australian travel firm Corporate Travel Management, which is running the barge as part of a wider contract worth £1.6bn, are looking after laundry services, and 24-hour food provision.
A draft menu stuck to the wall of the canteen includes a range of soups, stews, roast turkey, “drums chicken” and mysterious “beef collage”.
Following an outbreak of diphtheria at the Manston detention centre, and a scabies case at the Wethersfield military base, a nurse will be on site five days a week and able to refer patients to a GP if necessary.
A view of the canteen area onboard the Bibby Stockholm
A room for residents to watch television onboard the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge
