Families remember 9 killed in submarine collision

HONOLULU (AP) — Nine boys and men who died when a Navy submarine collided with their Japanese fishing vessel were honored and remembered in a service marking the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy.

Family members observed a moment of silence at 1:43 p.m. today — the time when the USS Greeneville surfaced beneath and rammed the Ehime Maru on Feb. 9, 2001, off Oahu.

The solemn ceremony was held at the Ehime Maru Memorial at a park near downtown Honolulu. Government and military leaders from Japan and the Hawaii attended the ceremony and laid wreaths.

A total of 35 students and instructors were onboard the vessel from Uwajima Fisheries High School.

The Navy’s investigation concluded that the Greeneville’s captain rushed through mandatory safety procedures while demonstrating an emergency surfacing drill for guests.