The former captain of the nuclear-powered submarine that struck and sank a Japanese high school fisheries training vessel nearly two years ago off Hawaii will publish a book about his experiences next week, his publisher said Thursday.
In his book, "The Right Thing," Scott Waddle recounts how the accident, in which nine Japanese lost their lives, affected his life both personally and professionally.
On Feb. 9, 2001, the Ehime Maru sank off Hawaii after being hit from below by the USS Greeneville, which was demonstrating a rapid-surfacing maneuver for civilian guests on board.
Four teenage students, two teachers and three crew members aboard the Ehime Maru were killed. Nine students from the high school and 17 crew members were rescued.
"It is an honest retelling of the facts, but also the personal story behind the public spectacle," said Meg McAllister, a spokeswoman for Integrity Publishers Inc., a publishing company based in Tennessee that publishes Christian books.
In addition to addressing the accident, the 246-page book provides a personal recounting of events during the U.S. Navy's court of inquiry.
After the investigation, Waddle retired from the navy with full benefits. Through McAllister, he said he hoped to share his insights with the Japanese people so they will see that behind the horrible accident is a loving father and human being who was also deeply affected by the tragedy.
It took Waddle eight months to write the book, which was completed prior to his recent trip to Japan, where he apologized to families of some of the victims.
Proceeds from the book will go toward funding a Japanese club at a high school in Hawaii, where students have volunteered on a monthly basis to clean and maintain a permanent memorial to the victims.