The Russian sailing family the Bondarenkos have contacted to let their Bermudian friends know that, despite encountering some of the worst conditions at sea during a 1,000 mile journey to the British Virgin Islands, they are now safely seeing out the remainder of the winter in harbour.

And they have sent a message of thanks to the people of the Island and St. George?s particularly for the assistance they gave during their lengthy stay on the Island from July 2005 to January this year.

The family-of-four hope to make a short visit to Bermuda on their way to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, in the spring.

After more than 14 years sailing around the world the Bondarenkos were granted permission to take up residence in Canada last October. However, they were unable to set sail from St. George?s Harbour, where they had been staying on their 37ft yacht since July, because of the extended hurricane season.

The family were granted extensions to stay in Bermuda but time eventually ran out and they set sail on January 17 for the Caribbean having decided it was too dangerous to attempt a northern journey to Canada.

They now intend to spend time in the British Virgin Islands ? where the temperature has been in the high 80s ? before heading to Canada where they have a new home and jobs waiting for them.

Having sailed from St. George?s with a favourable high pressure system over Bermuda, the Bondarenkos encountered storm-force trade winds further south and had to contend with winds gusting to 50 knots and waves as high as 20ft for seven days, which according to Marina Bonadarenko was one of the hardest sea passages they have faced in their 14-year odyssey.

?We all slept on the floor because it was impossible to stay on the bunks ? we fell down. The keeling and rocking was so strong that the life raft, the fenders and lifejackets leaning on the door in the aft-cabin finally broke the door and the latch,? said Mrs. Bondarenko.

Oil leaked into the bilge tanks and the family suffered sickness and for days were unable to cook because of the rough conditions, able to only boil a kettle for tea by holding it on top of the stove. They ate crackers and corn beef and slept on the floor in their foul weather gear.

Eventually the weather improved and the family, who had intended to sail to the Turks and Caicos Islands, sailed to the British Virgin Islands where they arrived on January 27.

Mrs. Bondarenko became illl shortly after arriving at the BVI and for three days was bed-ridden and looked after by her husband Vitaly and sons Ivan and Vasiliy. She is now returning to full health, however the family?s yacht is in need of repairs to its engine and sails.

Mrs. Bondarenko added: ?The boys again do their home-school almost every day. St. George?s Primary School gave Vasiliy very good textbooks and we are grateful to the teachers so much.

?If nothing happens to us or our yacht we?ll see our friends in Bermuda in the spring on our way to Canada. During our stay in Bermuda we became friends with many people. We miss Bermuda, St. George?s and the wonderful people there and we wish everybody well.?