The family have lived in the boat for seven years

The boat, home to Vince and Marie Shalom and their five children, was blocking the entrance to Penarth marina after the winds slammed it against the lock gates.

With no engine or navigational aids the boat could not move itself away but after the winds dropped, it drifted away from the lock and is now back inside the bay.

The owners of the marina, Crest Nicholson, had taken court action to evict the family because they said the boat had no insurance.

On Friday morning, Mr and Mrs Shalom said they had spent an anxious night adrift and

Mrs Shalom said they were at the end of their tether.

Vince and Marie Shalom are pleading for help

"It can't possibly get any worse," she said. "We did not intend for the boat to be here."

The family have been afloat in Cardiff Bay for two days.

Mr Shalom insists they were evicted because their home was too shabby for its upmarket surroundings.

"That's the reason why we are out here.

"It's a beauty contest between ourselves and Crest Nicholson."

He added: "This is disgraceful behaviour from a corporate giant."

The family have lived in Penarth marina with their five daughters for seven years.

The children are staying at their grandmother's home as their parents are worried they could get hurt.

Boats trying to return to the marina on Thursday night were forced onto makeshift moorings.

Mr Shalom said all they needed was a safe berth.

"We can address the insurance issues at a later date. Please help us," he said.