Discussion/activity: Questions arise in sea collision

February 15, 2001
Web posted at: 7:45 PM EST (0045 GMT)

Editor's note: If you are planning to use the news story that this discussion/activity is based on for a homework assignment, please write the URL on the board and have your students copy it. CNNfyi.com updates the site in the early evening, so students may have difficulty finding it without the URL. You can find the lesson plan by going to the Subject Areas page and clicking PREVIOUS in the square for Today's Lesson Plan.

Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Collision's aftermath" and ask the following:

1. Who is Cmdr. Scott Waddle? In what event was the USS Greeneville involved? What was the name of the Japanese ship that was hit? How many people were on this ship? How many people are missing? What efforts have been taken to rescue the missing people?

2. Why were civilians aboard the USS Greeneville? Do you think civilians should be allowed to be aboard submarines? Explain. How did Japanese officials find out that civilians were aboard the USS Greeneville at the time of the collision? Do you think they should have received this information from U.S. officials?

3. What safety precautions took place before the submarine began to proceed with its ascent? Do you think these precautions were adequate? Explain. Why are the Navy and the National Transportation Safety Board investigating this collision? Why could happen to Waddle if the investigation finds he did not follow proper procedure?

4. Have each student illustrate the USS Greeneville's procedure for ascent. Have them consider what modifications in procedures may have prevented the USS Greeneville's collision with the Ehime Maru, especially when it is used as a drill procedure. Have students share their ideas and discuss how future tragedies could be prevented.

USS Greeneville
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Navy

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