The Tonga Police have ended all recovery search operations for the two Australian sailors who remain missing after their yacht Navillus was wrecked off Late Island two weeks ago.

Tonga's Acting Police Commissioner Taniela Faletau said this morning that search operations officially ended on Monday, June 25, after an unsuccessful recovery search operation was completed in Vava'u on Friday, June 22.

He said the recovery team had searched about 14 different locations, including inhabited and uninhabited islands, on the south western coastal areas of the Vava'u Island group.

"The outcome of the recovery operation was unsuccessful. After assessment of the operations, police decided on Monday to cease all search operations and the next of kin of the two missing persons would be officially advised."

He said the police appreciated the valuable assistance offered by all members of the community especially those in Vava'u.

The search and rescue phase ended on June 21 after no signs of recent human activity or wreckage were found on Late island during a land area search from June 19-20. 

Taniela said this situation brought to the forefront the issue of emergency response in terms of developing the capacity and capability of the police to have the resources to respond immediately to such matters.

He said they would look at this issue in their Tonga Police Development Program. At present the police solely relied on private boats and the Tonga Defence Services patrol boat for an emergency response, he said.