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Updated at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, November 27, 2008

Navy: Sailor who died in sub near Hawaii ignored warning

Associated Press

SEATTLE — A Navy investigation has concluded that a sailor who died on the nuclear- missile submarine USS Nebraska in September in Hawai'i waters had ignored posted warnings.

The Kitsap Sun reports that Michael A. Gentile died after being pinned by the ram that operates the submarine's rudder. At the time of Gentile's death, the Bangor, Wash.-based submarine was conducting routine operations.

The Navy released its findings yesterday.

Submarine Group Trident spokesman Lt. Kyle Raines said the 21-year-old sailor was standing watch when the accident occurred. Gentile, originally from Maine, was flown to a nearby hospital after the accident but died en route.

Raines said none of the submarine's officers will lose their jobs, though they were reprimanded through administrative action.