Sunshine Coast community helps Ross Day after houseboat sinks in Maroochy River

A 75-year-old man who says he lost his life savings in a houseboat which capsized in the Maroochy River is being supported by fundraising efforts from the Sunshine Coast community.

Meanwhile, Maritime Safety Queensland says it is working with the new owner – who bought the vessel Bad Habits after it sank in February – to have it salvaged in a “suitable time frame”.

Pensioner Ross Day said he and a friend had to be rescued by police after Bad Habits began listing in heavy rain on February 16.

He said attempts to refloat the uninsured craft failed.

It took on more water to the point the contents were destroyed or severely damaged.

Bad Habits remains on the bottom of the Maroochy River, still partially visible from busy Bradman Avenue, while Mr Day has been sleeping in various locations, including the floor of a friend’s factory.

Rough trot

“By having the houseboat, the idea was that I had somewhere I could live and afford to feed myself, but unfortunately it all came undone,” Mr Day said.

“I went through a divorce, the mortgage was paid out and I didn’t have enough money to buy anywhere around here.

He said he had tried to “think outside the square”.

“There’s no rent to pay on a houseboat and it was a good idea at the time,” he said.

Mr Day said he had since been supported by several members of the community, including the Lapham family, who live on Bradman Avenue.

Helping hands

James Lapham crossed the road to console a distraught Mr Day after he was rescued, later bought him a meal, helped salvage belongings from the houseboat, and began a crowdfunding campaign.

“He was in tears, slumped over … he’d lost everything,” said Mr Lapham, who had not met Mr Day until the incident.

“I rang my son Joshua and an employee and we went over there for two days and pulled out all his personal stuff and anything he could sell to recoup some money.

“We were exhausted after two days, but I’m not a hero, just a fella that cares.

While the crowdfunding campaign has so far received a modest response, Mr Lapham’s efforts to drew attention to the cause have helped.

A neighbouring boat owner agreed to purchase the stricken vessel for an amount believed to be $20,000, allowing Mr Day to investigate purchasing a van or other form of temporary shelter.

Salvage prospects

It remains to be seen if Bad Habits can be refloated, having reportedly sustained further damage since it sank.

But Mr Lapham was confident it could be saved.

“They could raise it, put a jack under the front, pump the tanks out, get the last out and it’ll rise,” Mr Lapham said.

“It’s fixable but the problem is to get it out the water and transport it somewhere where it can be fixed was too much for Ross to afford,” Mr Lapham said.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said his organisation was monitoring the situation and that refloating Bad Habits would likely require “specialist salvage capability” and availability of experienced professionals.

“We are working with the new owner to have it removed in a suitable time frame,” Mr Dillon said.

“It is important that the vessel is removed with due regard to safety and minimal risk to the marine environment.”

He said his organisation had no findings as yet specific to Bad Habits but owners were advised to regularly monitor and inspect their vessels and maintain them in a watertight and seaworthy condition.

“This is particularly the case when high winds, tides or rainfall are expected,” he said.

He said owners should regularly attend vessels to ensure they were securely anchored, ensure they were lit in accordance with regulations, and that registration numbers were clearly displayed.