Trouble makers, admin not present...

I am moderater on a forum and recently we have had problems with a few members causing trouble. Admin has been absent since May and has no intention of coming back after a big fall out with previous moderators. The people causing the trouble know i can't do much other than lock topics and delete them, this stems from another forum that we had problems with.
I'm getting really frustrated and annoyed, as this forum is used as a rescue base so its more than people suffering.
I did message the Admin a while ago, hes sent me a message back saying hes no longer coming on the internet etc but hasn't stated anything about what hes doing with the forum.
Where do i stand in all of this? and what can i do? ( i have read the admin must be absent for 6mths 1 day post, but i know the trouble makers have read the same thing being members on here, so will know that there probably isn't much i can do).
Thank you in advance for any help people may be able to give me, i realise its a bit vague (for good reason) and quite waffley

Hi,

Read this, https://help.forumotion.com/t81878-recovery-or-change-founder-of-an-account

But please note: The Administrators aren't available this week for some reason. Try to PM Base.

ask him if he can help you on this matter or if he can send a pm to the godfather over on the french forum where he can then log in and deal with your problem.

Thank you for your help, i shall have a read of the link and try pm'ing Base.
I will let you know how i get on x

Alright, then good luck.

Not as of yet, will mark it once it is