HONOLULU -- A computerized simulation shown at a navy inquiry Friday revealed the Ehime Maru would have been clearly visible had the USS Greenville conducted a standard three-minute periscope search closer to the surface and at a higher power.
Inquiry participants watched a simulation video of the periscope search that was conducted before the Greeneville struck and sank the Japanese vessel Ehime Maru off Hawaii last month.
The video also demonstrated that, given the choppy seas, overcast skies and 80-second duration of the search, Greeneville Cmdr. Scott Waddle and another officer could have easily missed noticing the boat.