US sub captain admits responsibility

Captain Waddle apologised to the victims' relatives

The captain of the US nuclear submarine Greeneville has accepted "full responsibility and accountability" for a fatal collision with a Japanese training ship last month.

Appearing before a naval court, Captain Scott Waddle apologised to the relatives of the nine Japanese students who died when the submarine tore through the stern of the fisheries training vessel Ehime Maru.

For the rest of my life I will live with the horrible consequences of my decision

Captain Scott Waddle

Captain Waddle - who was denied immunity from prosecution on Monday - took the stand following several days of testimony from other key members of the Greeneville's crew.

On Monday, the court heard that an officer in charge of tracking sonar contacts had failed to report that the Ehime Maru was so close before the submarine carried out an emergency surfacing drill.

Petty Officer Patrick Seacrest admitted that he had not noticed that the Japanese ship was just 4,000 yards (3,640m) away as he had been analysing another sonar trace.

'I am solely responsible'

But despite this admission, Captain Waddle said he was ultimately responsible.

Petty Officer Seacrest (right) said he failed to keep track of the Ehime Maru

"As commanding officer, I am solely responsible for this truly tragic accident, and for the rest of my life I will live with the horrible consequences of my decisions," he said.

He added:"I am truly sorry for the loss of life and the incalculable grief those losses caused the honourable families of those lost at sea."

Captain Waddle and two other senior officers, Lieutenant Michael Coen and Lieutenant Commander Gerald Pfeifer, could face anything from a reprimand or discharge to a court martial.

His civilian lawyer had said previously that the Captain would testify only if prosecutors agreed not to use his testimony against him in a court martial case.

However, Captain Waddle said he was taking the stand because the victims' relatives "need to hear from me".

Rushed preparations

The inquiry has focused on whether Captain Waddle rushed preparations for surfacing and whether he performed an adequate periscope search.

On Saturday, the court heard a series of witnesses testify that other procedures aboard the submarine were rushed, possibly to avoid inconveniencing civilian guests on board.

The USS Greeneville had taken to sea purely for their benefit after a planned training exercise was cancelled.