HONOLULU (NNS) -- A surfacing U.S. submarine struck a Japanese fishing vessel at approximately 1:45 p.m. (HST) on Feb. 9, about nine miles south of the Diamond Head crater off Honolulu, Hawaii. The fishing vessel rapidly flooded and sank within 10 minutes in 1,800 feet of water. Twenty-six of 35 aboard were rescued. The search and rescue effort for the nine still missing is continuing. The motor vessel "Ehime Maru" was on a fishing and research mission when USS Greeneville (SSN 772) rapidly surfaced and collided with its stern. The submarine was conducting an "emergency ballast tank blow," a procedure used to bring subs to the surface in the event of an emergency, although in this case it was used for training. The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine was on a one-day cruise with 16 military and civilian guests. It was due back at Pearl Harbor around 3 p.m. The sub immediately alerted search and rescue authorities as soon as the crew realized what happened. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and aircraft were on the scene within minutes. USS Salvor (ARS 52) and USS Lake Erie (CG 70) sortied from Pearl Harbor to assist along with Coast Guard boats and cutters. Also on scene were two Navy torpedo retriever boats, a P-3 "Orion" with night vision capabilities and an SH-60 "Seahawk." The sub's commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott Waddle, has been reassigned pending the results of the investigation. The submarine has returned to port with some minor damage to its "skin." "While it is not yet clear how this accident occurred, it is tragic and regrettable," said Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in a statement on Feb. 10. "I want to express my apologies to those involved in the accident, their families, and the government of Japan."