Boat capsizes off Nova Scotia; 5 missing

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LIVERPOOL, Nova Scotia, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Rescue crews searched Monday for five men whose commercial fishing boat capsized in heavy winds and high seas of Nova Scotia, authorities said.

The 44-foot boat ran into trouble Sunday night as it contended with 26- to 33-foot waves and hurricane-force winds about 75 miles southeast of Liverpool, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. The boat was en route from Woods Harbour to Sambro.

Lt. Peter Ryan of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax said the boat's emergency beacon was detected shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday local time.

"Weather conditions at the time were extremely poor, with seas reported between 8 and 10 meters (26-33 feet), zero visibility and blowing snow, with up to hurricane-force winds," he said.

A search helicopter spotted the overturned boat, owned by Papa's Pride in Woods Harbour, and a life raft Monday morning, but there was no indication whether the men had been found. Two coast guard vessels also had reached the area.