The aerial and surface search for survivors from the MV Princess Ashika disaster has ended, Tonga's Police Commander Chris Kelley announced on 21 August.

Cdr. Kelley has been in charge of Operation Ashika during the past 16 days, following the sinking of the Princess Ashika in the open sea, 11 kms SSW of Nomuka island before mid-night on August 5.

"I do not believe there is any hope of finding anymore survivors," said Cdr Kelley, but "the police inquiry will continue, and is separate from the Royal Commission of Inquiry, but all information will be made available to commission of inquiry.

"Operation Ashika is now on stand-by and any further action is for Government to decide," he said.

"The site is marked by a buoy, and the restriction on the no-fly and no-go zone is still enforced, but I am more than happy to approve for people to visit the site if they wish, because I think that is important, and I had two requests, which I approved to go to the site," he said.

The daily briefings have ended, but the weekly crime report of the police would continue as usual, he said.