Russian round-the-world sailing family the Bondarenkos are today preparing to leave Bermuda after a seven month stay on the Island awaiting legal permission to live in their adopted home of Nova Scotia.

The family-of-four were granted special permission by the immigration department to stay on the Island, moored in St. George's harbour since the summer, so that they could await their Canadian visa applications and also safely ride out the 2005 hurricane season.

Last October the family received the all clear to take up residence in Canada but so far they have been unable to set sail due to bad and unpredictable weather.

However, within the next week they will pull up anchor and set sail again in their 37-foot yacht Viajero to continue a 14-year sailing odyssey that has seen them circle the world a number of times.

Their ultimate destination is the town of Lunenburg where Vitaly Bonderenko has a job waiting, and a home has been secured for the family by friends they have made in the Nova Scotia community.

Depending on the weather forecasts the family may head for the Caribbean to wait until the late spring before attempting to reach Canada.

Home Affairs permanent secretary Robert Horton said Minister Randy Horton had met with Mr. Bonderenko and his two sons Ivan, 12, and Vasily, 7, yesterday afternoon. He said: ?During that meeting, Mr. Bondarenko agreed that he would leave Bermuda within seven days, that is, by January 17. He indicated that it was probable that he would sail south from Bermuda rather than fly to Canada where he and his family have been offered residence permits.

?He expressed his gratitude to the Government for permitting him and his family to remain in Bermuda for the past seven months. He was particularly grateful for the hospitality shown by the Mayor and the people of St. George's.?

Mr. Horton added: ?In response, the Minister wished the Bondarenko family a safe journey from Bermuda and success in their new ventures in Canada. The Minister also assured the family that they will be welcome to Bermuda should they choose to return in the future, with proper documentation in place.?

The Russian family had been preparing to leave on December 31, but accepted a 10-day extension so that they could celebrate the New Year on land.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette, Mr. Bondarenko said: ?I want to thank everybody for the kindness they have shown. This is a great Island and we have made many friends and it is a shame to go. But we have no complaints and no bad feelings.

?We have one week to look at the weather and decide which way to go. All of us would want now to go North. I hope that we will come back to Bermuda one day. If we end up going to the South we will stop here on our way up North to Nova Scotia in May.

?He expressed his gratitude to the Government for permitting him and his family to remain in Bermuda for the past seven months. He was particularly grateful for the hospitality shown by the Mayor and the people of St. George's.?

Mr. Horton added: ?In response, the Minister wished the Bondarenko family a safe journey from Bermuda and success in their new ventures in Canada. The Minister also assured the family that they will be welcome to Bermuda should they choose to return in the future, with proper documentation in place.?

The Russian family had been preparing to leave on December 31, but accepted a 10-day extension so that they could celebrate the New Year on land.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette[<]$[>], Mr. Bondarenko said: ?I want to thank everybody for the kindness they have shown. This is a great Island and we have made many friends and it is a shame to go. But we have no complaints and no bad feelings.

?We have one week to look at the weather and decide which way to go. All of us would want now to go North. I hope that we will come back to Bermuda one day. If we end up going to the South we will stop here on our way up North to Nova Scotia in May.?