Couple's £45,000 houseboat sinks to the bottom of marina weeks after moving in

08 February 2024 , 12:01

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The couple spent £45,000 on the narrowboat back in November (Image: Keith Gray)

A couple's dream of living on a houseboat turned into a nightmare when their £45,000 home sank to the bottom of a Manchester marina. Keith Gray and Niall Senior had given up their city centre flat to live off-grid on a narrowboat they found on Facebook Marketplace.

Just a month after moving in, their boat sank while they were visiting family over Christmas, taking all their belongings with it. "We lost everything," said Mr Gray, who works as a designer. "Someone sent a picture of it at a 45-degree angle. It literally went like the Titanic."

The couple had become interested in boat life while renting an apartment overlooking New Islington Marina. "We used to walk around the marina and got to know a few people who lived in a boat," explained Mr Gray, 37. "With the current cost of living crisis and everything else, it's horrible trying to rent somewhere because it's so in demand."

After finding a narrowboat on Facebook Marketplace, Mr Gray and Mr Senior used their savings to buy it. They had the boat moved from Sussex to Manchester.

The £45,000 narrowboat submerged in New Islington Marina (Keith Gray)

The couple spent the first month adjusting to their new home before visiting family over Christmas. But their holiday joy turned into sadness when they were told on Boxing Day that their boat had tipped over due to bad weather.

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"People were filming it," Mr Gray said. "I was embarrassed and humiliated. It was like experiencing every emotion at once. The worst possible thing that could happen has happened a month in. I couldn't stop crying."

"Everything was damaged. All our possessions and treasured belongings were on the boat." Among the ruined items was recording equipment belonging to Mr Senior, who is a musician.

Niall Senior (left) and Keith Gray with their pet dog Willow (Keith Gray)

Despite having insurance, the couple said the company won't pay because the boat was "not fit for purpose" and shouldn't have been sold to them, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Mr Gray and Mr Senior have set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than £1,200 to repair and refit the boat. Members of the community have also offered to help.

The couple are currently staying on another boat at the marina after its owner offered to help them out.

Despite their ordeal, Mr Gray says the ultimate goal is to get the narrowboat back in action. A neighbour, Tom Dixon, has helped raise the sunken boat and is helping with its repair.

All of the couple's possessions were on the boat (Keith Gray)

The interior of Keith Gray and Niall Senior's houseboat before the sinking (Keith Gray)

"Everyone has come together to help," said Mr Gray. "We are starting from scratch and trying to scrape whatever money together."

"Its everything, our money, our dream, all our possessions. We don't really have the luxury of walking away. We are completely homeless. All we want to do is get a roof over our heads."

"I'm more determined now. It's horrible but in a lot of ways what you lose in terms of belongings and money, you gain a lot - all that we have learned from the experience and the fact we have stayed tight together has made us stronger."

You can donate to the GoFundMe here.

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