Stephen Waller, the acting regional supervisor of maritime search and rescue with JRCC Halifax, said harsh weather and waves over five metres impeded the search early Tuesday, but conditions improved throughout the day.

"The water temperature is the biggest problem. Survivability in these water temperatures is is quite short," Waller said.

Three more bodies were recovered from the vessel as of 8 p.m. NT, bringing the number of reported deaths to 10.

Waller said the search will continue overnight with the goal of locating survivors, but as time passes the chance of finding any gets slimmer.