Ehime Maru Reaches New Resting Place
Divers To Begin Searching Vessel Next Week
POSTED: 4:01 p.m. HST October 14, 2001
PEARL HARBOR, Oahu, Hawaii -- The sunken Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru successfully reached its destination Sunday where U.S. Navy divers will soon begin the task of searching for the bodies of nine men and boys.
The construction vessel Rockwater 2 completed moving the ship in a two-day, 14.5-mile journey from the Ehime Maru's original location ten miles south of Diamond Head, where it sank in February, to an area one mile south of the Honolulu Airport reef runway.
According to the Navy, all indications are that the vessel survived the journey without breaking apart.
The 830-ton fishing trawler sank into 2,000 feet of water when it was struck from underneath by the submarine USS Greeneville. By moving it to its new location in 115 feet of water, the Navy will be able to search the vessel for bodies and items that may be used for a memorial.
The Navy hopes to send down 60 Navy and six Japanese divers beginning Tuesday. The operation is expected to last at least one month.
Relatives of the missing men and boys have arrived in Honolulu to observe the recovery efforts, which have been receiving heavy publicity in Japan.
Once the search is complete, the Navy will again move the Ehime Maru to a final resting place 16 miles south of Barbers Point in more than 6,000 feet of water.
According to the Navy, all indications are that the vessel survived the journey without breaking apart.
The 830-ton fishing trawler sank into 2,000 feet of water when it was struck from underneath by the submarine USS Greeneville. By moving it to its new location in 115 feet of water, the Navy will be able to search the vessel for bodies and items that may be used for a memorial.
The Navy hopes to send down 60 Navy and six Japanese divers beginning Tuesday. The operation is expected to last at least one month.
Relatives of the missing men and boys have arrived in Honolulu to observe the recovery efforts, which have been receiving heavy publicity in Japan.
Once the search is complete, the Navy will again move the Ehime Maru to a final resting place 16 miles south of Barbers Point in more than 6,000 feet of water.
Previous Stories:
- October 14, 2001: Ehime Maru Close To Journey's End
- October 13, 2001: All Going As Planned With Ehime Maru
- October 12, 2001: Problems Encountered In Ehime Maru Lifting
- October 10, 2001: Ehime Maru Move To Start Wednesday
- October 6, 2001: First Ehime Maru Lifting Operation Successful
- September 27, 2001: Ehime Maru Salvagers Trying New Plan
- September 9, 2001: Japan Official Observes Recovery Efforts
- September 8, 2001: Navy Calls For Help Raising Ehime Maru
- September 2, 2001: New Setback In Ehime Maru Recovery
- August 31, 2001: Ehime Maru Raising Hits Snag
- August 30, 2001: Navy Trying To Lift Ehime Maru
- August 23, 2001: Ehime Maru Recovery Hits Snag
- August 21, 2001: Japanese Sub Joins Ehime Maru Salvage
- August 16, 2001: Divers Practice Ehime Maru Recovery
- August 8, 2001: Salvage Ship Arrives At Wreckage Site
- July 21, 2001: Teams Blast Ehime Maru's Mast
- July 14, 2001: Ehime Maru Recovery Ship Arrives In Honolulu
- July 2, 2001: Japanese Ship Helps Navy Salvage Operation
- June 16, 2001: Report: Ehime Maru Can Be Safely Raised
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