A sailboat with five people onboard was taking on water and diverting to Bermuda last night after hitting a whale.

The 49-foot Compinche hit the whale 320 miles west-southwest of Bermuda around 5.40 p.m. yesterday and called the US Coast Guard in Norfolk, Virginia, Harbour Radio said.

The boat has diverted to Bermuda and was expected to rendezvous with another ship around 1.40 a.m. today when the five people - two adults and three children aged six, 10 and 12 - will decide whether to evacuate.

The Somers Isles, which left Bermuda yesterday, is also due to pass the Compinche later, giving it another opportunity to evacuate if necessary, said the Harbour Radio spokesman.

The Compinche, which is in hourly communication with the Coast Guard, is scheduled to reach Bermuda sometime on Sunday if it continues its voyage.

The boat cannot use its engine and is sailing towards Bermuda with a 15-18 knot favourable wind.

Neither the extent of the damage nor the nationality of the crew was known last night.