Posted on: Wednesday, March 28, 2001

Navy says it'll pay Ehime Maru hospital bills

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Some of the nine students rescued from the Ehime Maru were billed for medical services by hospitals in Hawai'i, but a Navy spokesman here said today the U.S. government will pay the bills.

The Navy had previously promised to cover all costs for those rescued after the collision of the USS Greeneville submarine and the Ehime Maru fishing training ship.

"We've seen a copy of at least one bill," said Lt. Col. Dewey Ford, deputy chief of public affairs for the Pacific Command. "The U.S. government has been committed from day one to pay all medical expenses. We've made arrangements to have all bills sent to us and anything outstanding will be paid."

Nine students were among the people rescued from the Japanese fishing boat after it was struck Feb. 9 by the submarine USS Greenville.

Staff at Uwajima Fisheries High School, whose students and teachers were aboard the training vessel, reportedly told Ehime prefectural officials that some students had received medical bills.

Most of the 26 people rescued were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.