Sub Victims' Kin Watch And Wait

For the Japanese families whose loved ones were killed when a U.S. submarine collided with a fishing vessel, the opening session of a Navy court of inquiry was both emotional and informative.

Relatives of five of the victims, sitting side-by-side behind USS Greeneville Cmdr. Scott Waddle, donned earphones and listened to testimony translated into Japanese.

"I felt anger piercing through me when the court was discussing the quick surfacing," said Ryosuke Terata, father of one of the four missing students. "Now, I come to believe it was not an accident. It was a human error."

They also diligently took notes during the first day of the Navy inquiry into the Feb. 9 collision between the Ehime Maru and the Greeneville.

AP

Cmdr. Scott Waddle

During the morning session of the hearing, family members sat uncomfortably, occasionally turning around as if seeking help from Japanese officials in the back row. In the afternoon session, the family members looked more relaxed.

"Even though I'm still as sad as I was weeks ago, I feel better learning more about the accident," said Kazuo Nakata, father of one of the missing teachers. "I was so frustrated before when there was very little information coming out."

The family members of the missing nine and those who survived the collision have demanded the United States do whatever it takes to salvage the Ehime Maru, now resting on the bottom of the ocean. They believe the missing people are trapped inside and want to recover the remains.

By Mari Yamaguchi
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