The officers responsible and the court of inquiry's findings
Advertiser Staff
The following officers and crew members aboard the USS Greeneville have been held responsible by the Navy court of inquiry for events leading up to the crash with the Ehime Maru on Feb. 9:
Cmdr. Scott Waddle, former Greeneville commanding officer: Found guilty of dereliction in the performance of his duties and negligent hazarding of a vessel following an "admiral's mast" conducted by Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the Pacific Fleet. Punishment is a punitive letter of reprimand and the forfeit of one-half pay for two months. The forfeit of pay was suspended but Waddle was detached "for cause" from his Greeneville command, which effectively ends his career. He plans to retire on Oct. 1.
Cmdr. Scott Waddle
Lt. j.g. Michael Coen
Patrick Seacrest
Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer
Edward McGiboney
Capt. Robert Brandhuber
Lt. j.g. Michael Coen, officer of the deck: During an "admiral's mast," Fargo counseled Coen to make sure he "fully understood his obligation with regard to the safe navigation of the ship and the proper supervision of personnel on watch in the control room, despite the presence of the commanding officer."
Patrick Seacrest, fire control technician first class: Fargo noted that the court of inquiry recommended that Seacrest be taken to a "captain's mast" by the new commanding officer of the USS Greenville to answer for his actions for failing to report a closing sonar conact (the Ehime Maru) in according with the commanding officer's standing orders. Fargo forwarded the court's recommendation to the commander of the Submarine Force Pacific for him to decide possible punishment.
Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer, the executive officer and Douglas Coffman, chief of the boat: The court of inquiry recommended that Pfeifer and Coffman be admonished for lack of adminstrative oversight and execution of the enlisted watchbill. Fargo forwarded the recommendations to the commander of the Submarine Force Pacific.
Edward McGiboney, the sonar supervisor: The court of inquiry recommended that McGiboney be admonished for permitting an unqualified sonar operator on watch. Fargo forwarded the recommendation to the commander of the Submarine Force Pacific.
Capt. Robert Brandhuber, chief of staff for the Pacific Fleet: Fargo found that though Brandhuber had no official authority over Waddle, he should have played a more "forceful role" aboard the Greeneville and should have questioned Waddle when he believed the submarine was moving too quickly to the surface. The court of inquiry recommended that Brandhuber be admonished for failing to carry out his duties that day. Fargo has noted and forwarded that recommendation to the commander of the Submarine Force Pacific.
