Three admirals who investigated the U.S. submarine collision with a Japanese fishing vessel recommended that the sub's commander not face a court martial, according to a senior military advisor.

The admirals submitted their 2,000-page report Friday afternoon on the collision between the USS Greeneville and a Japanese fising vessel to U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Thomas Fargo. Navy officials said that during their three-hour meeting, the panel gave a "careful review" of their findings of fact, recommendations and opinions.

The Navy isn't publicly releasing the findings of the report, but a senior Navy official told ABCNEWS that it is unlikely that former Greeneville skipper Cmdr. Scott Waddle will face a court-martial. The official said that the panel found, during the 12-day court of inquiry, that there was no criminal intent on the part of Waddle and his crew in the accident.

The Greeneville collided with the Japanese trawler Ehime Maru Feb. 9. Nine crew members of the ship were never found and are presumed dead.

The three admirals and Japanese Rear Adm. Isamu Ozawa made recommendations on what punishment the officers of the Greeneville should face for their involvement in the crash.

Cmdr. Scott Waddle was reassigned to a desk job immediately after the Greeneville sailed back to Pearl Harbor following the collision.

Courts martial are reserved for felony criminal conduct and there was no evidence that there was no criminal intent, according to the military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Commander of the Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Thomas Fargo is expected to make a final decision on disciplinary action in the next week, according to sources.

The official said that the Navy will most likely punish Waddle through an administrative procedure called an Admiral's Mast. Through that action, sources said that Waddle would most likely be be confined to his office for a month and have his pay docked. He would, however, be allowed to retire honorably, they said.

Because the military is debriefing 24 crew members who were detained in China over a mid-air collision, Fargo was unable to fly to San Diego to receive the report. The three admirals decided to deliver the recommendations a day early in Hawaii instead.

The submarine officers could face courts martial, administrative discipline or other action.

The Greeneville returned to sea this week after undergoing repairs to the sub's rubber skin.

Earlier this week, the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun quoted Navy sources as saying that the report will "severely reprimand" Waddle and his top two officers for negligence on duty. But the newspaper said that the admirals are divided on whether Waddle should face a court martial for the collision.

KITV4 News reporter Keoki Kerr will have more on the story on KITV4 News Friday night.

Previous Stories:

• April 12, 2001: Greeneville Sets Out To Sea
• April 11, 2001: Report: Court Of Inquiry Divided
• April 11, 2001: Report: Court Of Inquiry Divided
• April 3, 2001: USS Greeneville Leaves Dry Dock
• March 30, 2001: Admirals Nearly Complete Navy Inquiry
• March 22, 2001: Civilians Describe Sub Experience
• 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 10, 2001: Attorney Challenges Expert Witness
• March 8, 2001: Waddle's Attorney Begins Cross-Examination
• March 7, 2001: Attorney: Waddle Will Not Testify