KITV 4 News has learned that the Navy's Court of Inquiry has completed most of its deliberations.

The panel has yet to release what punishments or policy changes will be recommended after the investigation of the USS Greeneville's collision with the Japanese trawler Ehime Maru.

Three admirals listened to 12 days of testimony from 33 witnesses during proceedings at Pearl Harbor.

They began deliberations last Wednesday, after the court concluded.

Navy spokesmen said that the three admirals met at the Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Makalapa to discuss their findings of fact, opinions and recommendations over the last week.

Then, after completing the bulk of their deliberations, they left an outline of their decisions with lawyers for the Court of Inquiry to compile into a final report on the submarine accident, according to military sources.

The admirals departed Hawaii in the last few days, going back to their posts on the mainland.

But a Navy spokesman said that they will keep in touch by telephone, e-mail and may even meet one last time to go over the report once Pearl Harbor lawyers complete it.

Military sources told KITV4 News reporter Keoki Kerr that one or all of the admirals are expected to return to Hawaii in about a week and a half to brief Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the Pacific Fleet, on their findings.

Fargo will than have about 30 days to review them and decide what action to take.

He has a number of options:

1. Doing nothing at all.
2. Convening an administrative board in which the sub's top officers would have to show cause why they should keep their jobs in the Navy.
3. Meting out non-judicial punishment known as an "Admiral's Mast," something that could include forfeiting pay and getting a letter of reprimand.
4. The most serious option: a court martial, which in addition to pay and reprimand penalties, could lead to a discharge and even prison time.

Military sources said that Cmdr. Scott Waddle returned to his new desk job at Pearl Harbor on Monday.

He was immediately relieved of his command in charge of the submarine after the Feb. 9 collision.

Military sources said that he's expressed concern to friends that he may face a court-martial and go to prison.

Those sources said that Waddle has turned down a golf game and other social invitiations from friends. He said that he wants to spend as much time as possible with his wife Jill and their teenage daughter, according to sources.

Fargo also could refer the panel's recommendations about Navy policies to other authorities for review. Specifically, the panel will probably press for some changes to the Navy's controversial distinguished visitors program, which allowed the 16 civilians on the sub the day of the collision.

It could be about five weeks until Fargo makes a decision on what to do next. His decisions are expected to be made public.

But the contents of the Court of Inquiry's report and recommendations would remain secret unless the Secretary of the Navy authorizes its release.

Previous Stories:

• March 22, 2001: Civilians Describe Sub Experience
• March 21, 2001: Mori Pays Tribute To Ehime Maru Victims
• March 20, 2001: Sub Technician Stopped Tracking Japanese Ship
• March 17, 2001: Minutes Could Have Stopped Sub Collision
• March 15, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Describes Collision
• March 14, 2001: Sub Commander's Style At Heart Of Inquiry
• March 13, 2001: Admiral: Sub Commander Responsible For Safety
• March 12, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Returns To Islands
• March 10, 2001: Attorney Challenges Expert Witness
• March 9, 2001: Waddle Apologizes To Families
• March 8, 2001: Waddle's Attorney Begins Cross-Examination
• March 7, 2001: Attorney: Waddle Will Not Testify
• March 6, 2001: Court Of Inquiry Looks For Answers
• March 3, 2001: Sub Skipper Wants Immunity
• March 2, 2001: Ehime Maru School Students Graduate
• March 1, 2001: Waddle: 'Part Of Me Died' In Collision
• March 1, 2001: Carlisle, Donohue Among Sub Guests
• February 27, 2001: Japan: Bush Considering Salvage Of Sunken Ship
• February 26, 2001: Waddle Has 'Sincere Regret' About Collision
• February 25, 2001: Sub Investigation Could Widen
• February 22, 2001: Navy Court Of Inquiry Could Be Delayed
• February 20, 2001: Navy Likely To Raise Ehime Maru
• February 20, 2001: Sub Mishap Survivors Still Haunted
• February 19, 2001: Sucess Of Raising Ehime Maru 'Questionable'
• February 19, 2001: Robot Sub Hauled Out For Repairs
• February 19, 2001: Tennessee Town Supports Sub Crew
• February 16, 2001: Search Continues While NTSB Interviews Sub Crew
• February 15, 2001: Police Warn Of Sub Victim Fund Scam
• February 15, 2001: Japanese Outraged Over Sub Revelation
• February 15, 2001: Two Island Residents On Greeneville
• February 14, 2001: Sub Captain Could Face Criminal Inquiry
• February 13, 2001: Ehime Maru Crew Describes Disaster
• February 12, 2001: Bush Offers Prayer For Sub Victims
• February 12, 2001: NTSB Begins Sub Collision Probe
• February 11, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Speaks
• February 10, 2001: Sub Commander Reassigned As Search Continues
• February 9, 2001: Sub Collided During Emergency Maneuver