missing for two weeks have left the Island after failing to turn up any clues.

Coastal waters were searched this week after a merchant vessel spotted a red SOS flare east southeast of Bermuda on Tuesday.

The ship alerted Harbour Radio when an extensive search of the area did not turn up anything.

The two Coast Guard planes arrived in Bermuda on Wednesday to continue the search. After finding nothing yesterday, they left.

"There has been no physical evidence of a boat in difficulties, except the flare itself,'' a Harbour Radio spokesman said, adding it is only believed the flare came from the Wu Wei .

The US Coast Guard is continuing to look for the 29-foot sailing vessel off the Eastern Seaboard. Broadcasts were sent to all vessels in the area to keep a lookout for the Wu Wei . This communications search covers the whole Northern Atlantic Ocean.