A dad is forced to row his teenage son to shore to take him to chemotherapy appointments after the pontoon next to his houseboat was left in such a poor state of repair that it sunk.

Adam Carmichael has been forced to get in a small wooden rowing boat and row the 20-yard journey to the bank of the River Itchen any time he wants to leave his home – including to take his 16-year-old son Mikey to the hospital for appointments.

Mikey was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer, a rare form of cancer which develops in the bones and soft tissues, which in some cases can lead to a restriction in movement, in February, and now has weekly chemotherapy sessions at Southampton General Hospital.

Daily Echo: Father’s anger over sunken pontoon that restricts access to his houseboat

Since the father and son moved to Smith’s Quay in Woolston a year ago, the pontoon has sunk six times, and it is in a poor state of repair.

“I have to look after him and haven’t got as much time on my hands to do maintenance work,” said Adam, aged 42.

“I’m just getting no help and it’s got to a position where the pontoon has sunk so many times and has had so many holes punched in it, it’s just getting worse, and you’ve got to have a pump operating 24/7 for the pontoon to stay afloat.

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Daily Echo: Father’s anger over sunken pontoon that restricts access to his houseboat

“I worry about Mikey making his way across the pontoon, it’s no way to live.”

Among the other issues that Adam told the Echo about was decay on the bridge which leads from the shore to the pontoon, with plastic bottles, bags, and planks of wood being used to cover up openings that lead directly into the water below.

Though Adam has done everything he can to resolve the issues himself, he said he’s had no support from the shipyard’s landlord.

Daily Echo: Father’s anger over sunken pontoon that restricts access to his houseboat

He told the Echo: “I’ve bought two new petrol pumps myself to pump the pontoons up, but I’ve spoken to the landlady and got nowhere.

“My electric supply is also in the water, so if that goes it could cause a fire in the boat which is another problem. The water supply runs through the water as well and I’ve had to repair that twice.”

He added: “It’s really doing my head in; it’s testing my patience and mental health to be honest – it’s just becoming too much.”

Adam bought the houseboat as a project for Mikey – who designed much of the interior – to eventually sell one day, with the proceeds going towards Mikey’s dream of one day travelling to Australia.

Adam said: “Though that’s our dream – and it will happen – we can’t fulfil it at the moment whilst this is our current situation.”

The Echo has contacted the owner of Smith’s Quay, but at the time of publication has yet to receive a response.