Two Added to Sub Collision Probe

Feb. 24 -- The Navy may be expanding its investigation of a sub collision with a Japanese fishing boat to including the role of a captain in charge of keeping civilians from distract Navy personnel, ABCNEWS has learned.

In addition to Cmdr. Scott Waddle and two of his top officers, sources say Capt. Bob Brandhuber, who was in charge of the civilians on the submarine, and the submarine's fire control technician may also be added to the investigation.

Two civilians were manning key control positions at the time of the surfacing, the USS Greeneville. Of the 35 people aboard, 26 people were rescued, but nine people are still missing and presumed dead.

Brandhuber, who is not a crew member, was the highest ranking officer on the boat. He ranks above the Cmdr. Waddle, and the other two officers named in the inquiry, Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer and Lt. Michael Coen.

His role in the accident is critical because he was the host of the 16 civilians aboard the USS Greeneville when it sank. It was his job to make sure the civilians did not interfere with the crewmen.

The "fire control technician" told investigators civilians distracted him from doing his job plotting sonar contacts.

But investigators tell ABCNEWS he also stopped verbally calling out targets even though he was reportedly tracking the Japanese boat on the surface.

When the USS Greeneville rose to periscope depth, investigators now believe the Ehime Maru was only about a mile away, directly behind the submarine. The captain and officer of the deck both looked in that direction through the periscope, but did not see it.

Submarine Damage

The Navy said the $900 million submarine may be more seriously damaged than first thought.

Sources say the rudder post may need replacement, which would require forging an entire new piece to keep the sub running quietly.

The court of inquiry, convened for March 5, will determine whether disciplinary action should be taken against any or all of the officers named as subjects, and could ultimately lead to a court martial. Under Navy rules, the presiding officers at a court of inquiry can name additional subjects or "parties" atany time during the proceedings.