The commander of a US submarine that crashed into a Japanese fishing trawler off Hawaii in February said he had received a written reprimand in a final hearing Hawaii yesterday.
Following the private hearing, known as an admiral's mast, at which he appeared before Adm Thomas Fargo, commander in chief of the US Pacific Fleet, Cmdr Waddle said he had received a punitive letter of reprimand which will remain permanently in his military file.
Cmdr Waddle (41) was immediately relieved of his command after the nuclear-powered submarine USS Greeneville sliced into the Japanese fishing school trawler the Ehime Maru on February 9th. The trawler sank within minutes and nine people aboard lost their lives.
A navy court of inquiry that investigated the incident recommended against a court-martial for Cmdr Waddle in its report to Adm Fargo, but charged the commander with dereliction of duty, negligent hazarding of a vessel, and negligent homicide.
The commander pleaded not guilty to all counts and the negligent homicide charge was dropped before yesterday's final hearing. "I understand and accept the punishment," Cmdr Waddle said in a statement.