Greeneville Captain Punished for Collision

April ??? -- The Navy submarine captain in charge during the deadly collision between the USS Greeneville and a Japanese trawler in February .....

Cmdr. Scott Waddle avoided a court-martial, the military equivalent of a criminal trial, in the Feb. 9 accident off the coast of Hawaii. Nine Japanese were killed after the Greeneville surfaced suddenly and hit the Ehime Maru.

The punishment was decided by commander of the Pacific Fleet, Adm. Thomas B. Fargo. He had received recommendations from a Navy court of inquiry, which heard testimony on the matter last month.

The board reportedly recommended that Waddle, 41, not face a court-martial. Through a court-martial, Waddle could have faced charges of negligent homicide for the accident. Waddle's civilian lawyer, Charles Gittens, has said, "at the court of inquiry there was really no evidence of any criminal act or any criminal intent."

Family members of those killed in the accident were unhappy with the court of inquiry's recommendation, according to Japanese news reports.

Fargo also could have ordered Waddle be fined, issued a letter of reprimand, or be reduced in rank which would lead to a reduction in his benefits upon retirement.

The former submarine commander has served almost 20 years in the Navy.

Visitor Program Brought Into Question

The accident occurred when Waddle's submarine burst from the water into the Japanese boat during a practice emergency surfacing procedure off Oahu.

Waddle has said he believes 16 American civilians, who were enjoying a day trip on the submarine the day of the accident, may have been a factor in the collision. While not specifying exactly how the civilians may have played a role, Waddle said he believes the accident wouldn't have happened if the civilians hadn't been aboard, according to his lawyer.

It came out during the Navy court of inquiry that at least two visitors were seated at controls on the submarine when the collision occurred and that the sub was taken out that day for the purpose of giving the visitors a ride.