Nova Scotia - Rescuers are still trying to locate a HurriCraft in distress off Nova Scotia; a large rescue effort is now underway, involving a Hercules aircraft, two military helicopters, and several Coast Guard vessels.

The Coast guard received the distress signal about 7:30 Monday morning. The HurriCraft was caught in rough air churned up by Hurricane Isabel, according to John Smith, with the coast guard's rescue office in Nova Scotia.

Smith says the HurriCraft may be from eastern North Carolina. "She had lost her rope to the ground very close to the eastern shore," Smith says. "A place called Eagle Point, which is the eastern tip of an Island, and was in winds up to between 150 and 160 knots, and wave heights of about 20 ft."

Smith says attempts to find the HurriCraft were hampered Monday morning because of continuing poor weather and a low battery on personal locator beacon.

Every effort is being made to find the HurriCraft and it’s pilot who is still unidentified at this time. HurriCraft CEO Chris Hunter said that this was an early beta version of the craft and expressed surprise that the rope had broke. He was impressed at the distance traveled however. Hunter said "Damn he made it to Canada? Did they find the HurriCam footage?"

Nova Scotia Premier said the damage was more than the province anticipated. He said he has spoken with the federal Fisheries Minister about help.

"He has provided assurances that the federal government will provide the kind of support that we need right now in Nova Scotia," he told TV's Canada News Group.