USS Greeneville heads to sea for first time since accident

The USS Greenville heads out to sea Wednesday

HONOLULU (CNN) -- The USS Greeneville headed out to sea Wednesday for the first time since the nuclear submarine slammed into a Japanese research vessel two months ago.

The Greeneville, which underwent extensive repairs following the February 9 accident, left Pearl Harbor around 1 p.m. local time for a day or two of sea trials to make sure the submarine is seaworthy.

Nine people, including four Japanese high school students, who were aboard the Japanese vessel, Ehime Maru, are missing and presumed dead.

The accident strained U.S.-Japan relations, and the Navy opened a court of inquiry hearing into three of the Greeneville's officers.

Cmdr. Scott Waddle, 41, Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, 26, and Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, 38, could face courts-martial as a result of the court of inquiry that finished last month.

Waddle is accused of negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and placing the submarine in a hazardous situation -- suspected offenses that could result in a maximum 30 years in prison.

Cloud hangs over sub crew after crash inquiry
March 22, 2001
Waddle urged civilians to tell the truth
March 21, 2001
Sub inquiry ends after skipper testifies
March 20, 2001
Commander denied immunity in sub inquiry
March 19, 2001
Families of missing ask sub skipper to not seek immunity
March 17, 2001
Sub crewman: Not given 'enough time' to check data
March 16, 2001
Greeneville skipper apologizes to Ehime Maru captain
March 14, 2001
Navy sub collision inquiry gets first eyewitness testimony
March 13, 2001
U.S. Navy may OK attempt to raise Japanese ship
March 12, 2001
Sub skipper's family speaks out about collision
March 11, 2001

NTSB transcripts: Greeneville/Ehime Maru 031201
U.S. Coast Guard
CINCPACFLT :: USS Greeneville (SSN 772) incident
City of Uwajima's memorial site
U.S. Navy
 • CINCPACFLT statement on the USS Greeneville incident
 • Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
 • USS Greeneville

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