Ehime Maru families
favor final Navy offer

U.S. compensation for each dead crewman
may be $1.85 million

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Associated Press

TOKYO >> Most of the families of 35 Japanese killed or injured in the February 2001 collision between a fishing training vessel and a U.S. Navy submarine off Hawaii are ready to accept a U.S. compensation offer, and a settlement could be signed late this month, Japanese media reported yesterday.

The prospect for the settlement emerged Saturday when the families' lawyers notified them of the final offer presented by the Navy. Most of the families responded positively, national newspaper Asahi Shimbun said, quoting chief lawyer Yasuo Hatakeyama.

The Japanese lawyers represent 33 of the 35 families. The families of two who died are discussing compensation separately.

Nine men and teenage boys died when the nuclear-powered USS Greeneville surfaced beneath the trawler Ehime Maru on Feb. 9, 2001, sinking it off the coast of Oahu.

The size and details of the compensation were not disclosed, Asahi said.

The payment would include apology money and cost for the survivors' mental health care.

Washington is considering paying about $1.85 million each to the seven families of the dead crew, matching a U.S. compensation fund for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the newspaper said.

As soon as all of the 33 families accept the conditions, their lawyers will meet with the Navy officials in Tokyo to sign the settlement.

The signing is expected later this month, the newspaper said.

Lawyers and officials were not available for comment.

Separately, the Ehime prefectural (state) government signed a $11.47 million compensation deal with the Navy, which covered costs to replace the vessel, equipment, cargo, crew salaries, mental health care for the survivors and the costs for a memorial service.

Under the U.S. law, compensation must be completed within two years of an accident, and the families will have until February to decide whether to accept a settlement offer or file a civil lawsuit.

Scott Waddle, skipper of the USS Greeneville, was given a letter of reprimand for the fatal collision after a Navy court of inquiry. He later retired.