Dorset MPs Chris Loder and Richard Drax have raised concerns about the safety of the Bibby Stockholm barge amid allegations that the vessel is a fire risk.

Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset has questioned whether the barge can hold 500 people and still meet safety measures, saying that the number of asylum seekers should be reduced if it cannot.

He said: “I am more than aware of the story in The Times and the allegations by a whistle-blower that the migrant barge in Portland Port is a fire risk and that both the Health and Safety Executive and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have raised issues of concern.

"If these allegations are true, I would look to the Home Office, the vessel’s operators, CTM and Landry and Kling, and the owners of Portland Port to ensure that all the safety requirements are met.

"I understand the first, small tranche of migrants is expected this week, but questions still remain as to whether the barge, originally designed for about 220, can take 500 people and still meet the safety measures being demanded.

"If it cannot, then the number of migrants must be reduced to a level advised by those assessing the fire risk.

"In addition, Chris Loder, the MP for West Dorset, and I are waiting for a response to a letter to both the Home Secretary and Baroness Vere, dated 17 July, in which they were asked to ‘require the Marine Coastguard Agency urgently to undertake a safety assessment of this vessel, not for its fitness for transit, but for its intended purpose of homing double the number of people on board than it was designed to withstand.’”  

On July 17 2023, West Dorset MP Chris Loder wrote a letter to Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Baroness Vere, asking to see the appropriate risk assessments for the Bibby Stockholm.

In the letter, Mr Loder wrote:

"Dear Home Secretary and Baroness Vere,

"For months, I have been asking for sight of the safety risk assessments that should have been done to allow the Bibby Stockholm to be used in Portland Harbour with 500 people on board whilst it was designed for 250.

"The Bibby Stockholm has now left Falmouth Dock. But visibility or assurances that adequate safety risk assessments have been completed have not been received.

"This morning, on a call with the Marine and Coastguard Agency, it is clear they have also not undertaken that work, which we would typically expect them to do for a flagged vessel on water -which is what the Bibby Stockholm is. I am also concerned that it does not appear the MCA has undertaken any work at Portland Harbour to assure itself of arrangements either.

"I am writing to you this evening to ask that you either stop the Bibby Stockholm or that you provide the necessary safety risk assessments that confirm this vessel is safe to cope with double the weight that it was designed to bare.

"Baroness Vere, as the Minister responsible for the Marine and Coastguard Agency, I trust you will ensure that the necessary safety work has been undertaken.

"You may recall that during the select committee questioning of the MCA over the P&O re-organisation, it became clear that the MCA was not proactive in these matters. Will you please require the MCA urgently to undertake a safety assessment of this vessel, not for its fitness for transit, but for its intended purpose of homing double the number of people on board than it was designed to withstand.

"I would be grateful for your urgent attention in this matter."