The seafaring Russian family who attempted to sail to Bermuda under threat of deportation from Canada have been granted an 11th hour reprieve by immigration authorities.

The Bondarenkos, originally from Moscow, have travelled around the world in a 36 foot sailboat since 1991, and were forced to abandon their voyage to the Island last week in the face of a huge snow storm in the north Atlantic.

On Sunday, with the boat's engine running and the necessary repairs made, the family was minutes away from departing Halifax, Nova Scotia for a second time when the news came through they would be allowed to remain for the winter.

Vitaly Bondarenko, 56, his wife Marina, and their two sons Ivan and Vasily had been ordered to leave Canada having come to the end of their four-month temporary residents permit. But "the government of Canada is concerned about the safety and security of the family going out to sea during the winter months," the Halifax Director of Operations for Citizenship and Immigration, Bryan Amadore told the AP news agency.

It is understood the Bondarenkos will now travel to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia where they have friends who have offered to assist them.

It is believed that Mr. Bondarenko has been offered employment in Canada in his specialist field of sound vibration engineering.