A couple were left “completely homeless” after their £45,000 houseboat sank to the bottom of the marina, just weeks after they moved in.
Keith Gray and Niall Senior swapped their Manchester city apartment for a boat at New Islington Marina in November last year.
Hoping to save money on bills, the couple used the money they had originally saved to buy a house and instead bought the boat on Facebook Marketplace.
However, disaster struck and they “lost everything” when their new home sank during a storm, with all their belongings on board.
Gray said: “People were filming it.” I felt ashamed and humiliated.
Keith Gray (RIGHT) and Niall Senior (LEFT) were left “completely homeless” after their £45,000 houseboat sank to the bottom of the marina, just weeks after they moved in.
‘It was like experiencing all the emotions at once. The worst thing that could happen to me happened a month later. I couldn’t stop crying.’
He told the Manchester Evening News: ‘Everything was damaged. “All of our most precious possessions and objects were on the boat.”
Gray, who works as a designer, said his house sank “like the Titanic” and someone even sent them a photo at a 45-degree angle.
The cost of living crisis and rising rental prices pushed the couple to make the decision to give up their apartment.
They often walked around the marina and met people who lived on boats, so they decided to try this way of life for themselves.
The 37-year-old added: “The money we saved for a deposit, we thought would be a good step.” We estimate our expenses would range from £1,600 to £300′.
After purchasing the narrowboat, the couple transported it from Sussex to Manchester and were getting used to life off the grid with their nine-month-old puppy Willow.
But the “worst” thing happened while they were spending Christmas with their family: on Boxing Day they were informed that the boat had capsized and sunk due to bad weather.
Disaster struck when the couple “lost everything” when their new home sank during a storm, with all their possessions on board.
BEFORE AND AFTER: Gray, who works as a designer, said his house sank “like the Titanic” and someone even sent them a photo at a 45-degree angle.
After purchasing the narrowboat, the couple transported it from Sussex to Manchester and were getting used to life off the grid, living with their nine-month-old puppy Willow.
Mr Gray rushed back to Manchester but could do nothing as he watched all his “precious possessions” fall underwater.
Among the damaged items was a large amount of recording equipment used by Mr Senior, who is a musician.
Despite purchasing insurance, Mr Gray and Mr Senior claim the company “refuses to pay” because the boat was “not fit for purpose” and should not have been sold in the first place.
Desperate for their lives to return to normal, the couple has created a GoFundMe page to repair and recondition your boat; the amount currently stands at £2,045.
The page says: ‘Unfortunately, after accepting our dream, we were sold a boat that was not fit for purpose.
‘Very deceived by the seller and the pre-sale expert, the insurance company refuses to pay.
‘Myself, Niall and our nine-month-old puppy, Willow, are currently homeless after investing our life savings into purchasing the narrowboat.
“Please help in any way you can so we can restore the ship to habitable condition.”
Mr Gray and Mr Senior have been temporarily residing on a friend’s boat at the marina, who offered to help them while they recovered.
Now, their plan is to get their boat back up and running, after a neighbor kindly helped them bring it back to the surface and is helping with the repair work.
Mr. Gray pleaded: “It’s everything, our money, our dream, all our possessions.” We really can’t afford to leave.
‘We are completely homeless. All we want is to get a roof over our heads.
‘I’m more determined now. It’s horrible, but in many ways what you lose in terms of belongings and money you gain a lot; Everything we have learned from the experience and the fact that we have stuck together has made us stronger.”