boat sunk.

Construction worker Mr. Robert Powell and his fiance, Kathleen, lost most of their belongings -- despite a desperate salvage operation.

Last night 39-year-old Mr. Powell told how the nightmare began soon after he awoke at about 6 a.m.

"I was getting up to go to work, and was making a cup of coffee when all of a sudden the boat started to list because of the rain.

"I had a barrel in the back which is used to catch water. It kept on overflowing.'' Mr. Powell said the water seeped through the seams of the 40ft boat.

"At low tide only the bow is out of the water,'' he added.

The boat, in Great Bay off Ballast Point Lane, had been the couple's home for about four years.

Although the couple escaped unscathed, they lost virtually everything.

"It really hurt. We have lost most of our belongings,'' said Mr. Powell, who hopes to get married in August.

"I have managed to salvage some clothes which were above the water.'' But furniture, including a couch, and a television, a video cassette recorder and other electronic gear were ruined.

Firemen were alerted, but unable to prevent the boat sinking.

The stranded couple were helped by the Salvation Army, who brought them food and drink, and helped out with the salvage operation.

"They really gave us a hand,'' said Mr. Powell.

Mr. Powell said the boat had been built mainly by his brother.

"I helped him a little, and bought it off him for $5,000. But I also installed a lot of my own materials, which came to about $8,000.'' Mr. Powell reckoned the boat -- uninsured -- was probably worth about $15,000.

"It is still in the water, and I will probably try to raise it again tomorrow.'' He added he might need a crane or a barge to raise it.

Last night the couple were staying with relatives.