Navy officials say that the skipper of a U.S. sub that rammed a Japanese fishing boat will not face a court-martial.
Defense officials say the admiral who heads the U.S. Pacific Fleet has decided against a trial.
Instead, Cmdr. Scott Waddle (pictured, right) will get non-judicial punishment -- ending his Navy career, according to the source.
The reported decision would be in line with the recommendation of a Navy court of inquiry that investigated the collision.
News reports on the likelihood that Waddle would escape a court-martial have drawn sharp criticism in Japan.
Nine people were killed when the Greeneville surfaced beneath the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru nine miles off Diamond Head while conducting an emergency rapid-ascent drill for 16 civilian guests on Feb. 9.
An officials said that the three admirals who conducted the court of inquiry recommended no court martial.
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.
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 could most be confined to his office for a month and have his pay docked. He would, however, be allowed to retire honorably, they said.
Previous Stories:
- April 14, 2001: Investigators: No Court Martial For Commander
- April 13, 2001: Admirals To Submit Greeneville Report Friday
- April 12, 2001: Greeneville Sets Out To Sea
- 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 17, 2001: Minutes Could Have Stopped Sub 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 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
Copyright 2002 by TheHawaiiChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
