Divided court of inquiry gives recommendations on Navy sub incident

The USS Greeneville leaves Pearl Harbor on Wednesday for sea trials after repairs

By Martin Savidge CNN National Correspondent

HONOLULU, Hawaii (CNN) -- The Navy admirals heading the court of inquiry investigating the fatal collision between a Navy submarine and a Japanese fishing trawler gave their recommendations Friday to the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The admirals met with Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Thomas Fargo for about three hours and handed over their 2,000-page report, which includes 1,800 pages of transcripts from the court of inquiry.

The Japanese admiral who also sat on the court of inquiry -- but had no authority in the "findings of fact" and recommendation -- also attended the meeting.

The contents of the admirals' recommendation were not disclosed.

Sources close to the investigation said the three investigating admirals were deeply divided in their opinions and that they might issue a majority opinion as well as a minority opinion.

The USS Greeneville slammed into the Japanese vessel, Ehime Maru, on February 9. Nine people aboard the Ehime Maru, including four Japanese high school students, are missing and presumed dead.

The contents of the admirals' recommendation was not immediately disclosed.

Fargo, who convened the court of inquiry, has 30 days to review the court's recommendations and determine what action, if any, should follow.

The submarine's skipper, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, 41; his executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, 38; and the officer of the deck, Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, 26, could face courts-martial as a result of the inquiry.

But one source told CNN that Fargo was leaning toward issuing a non-judicial punishment called an "admiral's mast" for Waddle. An admiral's mast is an administrative procedure for offenses that are less serious than those that would merit a court martial.

If an admiral's mast began, Fargo could oversee it or defer it to the commander of the submarine forces for the Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Albert Konetzni, who moves to a new job in less than two weeks.

Waddle's attorney, Charles Gittins, said Waddle "has made it clear" he would accept a non-judicial punishment if it was offered.

The maximum punishment under such a scenario is 30 days arrest in quarters (similar to a house arrest), 60 days of restricted movement and forfeiture of half his salary for two months. Another option could be an official letter of reprimand in his permanent file.

Waddle is expected to retire by this summer. Gittins acknowledged his client's career is essentially over.

One Navy source said Fargo is not expected to take the full 30 days to reach a decision. Another source said the admiral would like to make his decision by April 25, the date when Konetzni moves to his next position in the Atlantic Fleet.

Konetzni's transfer of command was originally scheduled for March 23 but was postponed until the court of inquiry's investigation was complete.

The inquiry began its probe on March 5 and heard from 33 witnesses who described the events surrounding the accident, which occurred when the sub performed an emergency ascent procedure to show a group of 16 civilian visitors on board the capabilities of the vessel.

The court of inquiry ended March 20 after dramatic testimony from Waddle, who said he was "solely responsible" for the accident.

"For the rest of my life, I will live with the horror and consequences. I am truly sorry for the loss of life and incalculable grief that I have caused," Waddle told the court without testimonial immunity. "I accept full responsibility and accountability for the actions of the crew. I am solely responsible."

Pacific Fleet commander to be briefed on submarine accident
April 12, 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
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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