The highest-ranking officer aboard the USS Greeneville during its collision with a Japanese fishing vessel said during a Navy court of inquiry Tuesday that he could have prevented the incident.

Capt. Robert Brandhuber, who was the escort for 16 civilian guests on the sub Feb. 9, said that he could have stepped in and asked the Greeneville's skipper Cmdr. Scott Waddle to slow down, but didn't because of his confidence in Waddle.

Brandhuber is chief of staff for U.S. Pacific Fleet submarine forces commander Rear Adm. Al Konetzni, who arranged the civilian ride.

Brandhuber told the panel that he had a conversation about Waddle with Koneztni before he went aboard the Greeneville. He said that Koneztni called Waddle's command style as "all show and no go."

He also said that after a few hours onboard the sub, his confidence in Waddle grew up until the crash. However, Brandhuber said that he had planned to counsel Waddle on his haste after they got back to port.

After the crash, Brandhuber said that looked through the periscope and thought they hit a whale-watching boat.

"I saw two young people on the aft," Brandhuber said. "It's something I never want to see again."

Later in the day, the first crew member from the Greeneville took the witness stand.

Lt. Keith Sloan is the Greeneville's navigator and operations officer. He is also the sub's senior watch officer.

Sloan testified that he was under the impression that the sub was supposed to conduct an emergency surfacing drill during its four-hour voyage that ended with the collision. But he said that as the sub got underway that morning from Pearl Harbor, Waddle told him that the he would not conduct such a drill that day.

However, Sloan said that Waddle later decided to perform the drill and speculated that the civilian visitors may have talked him into it. He added that the sub's control room was so full of civilians that it was difficult to see what was going on.

Sloan also testified about Waddle's command style, which has become a large issue in the inquiry.

Sloan said that a week before the collision, he suggested to Waddle that the officers of the deck be allowed to drive the submarine more often in order to learn more. Waddle brushed off the suggestion according to Sloan, saying that the officers would learn more by listening to him.

U.S. Navy officials said late Monday that a salvage operation for the Ehime Maru could be possible, but that it could cost about $40 million and take about six months to complete.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori will visit Hawaii next week. He is expected to offer flowers at the site where the Ehime Maru sank on Feb. 9.

A Japanese newspaper reports that Mori will visit Hawaii March 20, a day after his working visit with President Bush in Washington. Mori faced harsh criticism in Japan for continuing to play golf after being notified of the collision.

Stay with TheHawaiiChannel.com for updates on the inquiry throughout the day and tune in to KITV4 News at 5, 6 and 10 for full reports.

Previous Stories:

• March 13, 2001: Admiral: Sub Commander Responsible For Safety
• March 12, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Returns To Islands
• March 10, 2001: Attorney Challenges Expert Witness
• March 9, 2001: Waddle Apologizes To Families
• March 8, 2001: Waddle's Attorney Begins Cross-Examination
• March 7, 2001: Attorney: Waddle Will Not Testify
• March 6, 2001: Court Of Inquiry Looks For Answers
• March 3, 2001: Sub Skipper Wants Immunity
• March 2, 2001: Ehime Maru School Students Graduate
• March 1, 2001: Ehime Maru School Students Graduate
• March 1, 2001: Waddle: 'Part Of Me Died' In Collision
• March 1, 2001: Carlisle, Donohue Among Sub Guests
• February 27, 2001: Japan: Bush Considering Salvage Of Sunken Ship
• February 26, 2001: Waddle Has 'Sincere Regret' About Collision
• February 25, 2001: Sub Investigation Could Widen
• February 22, 2001: Navy Court Of Inquiry Could Be Delayed
• February 20, 2001: Navy Likely To Raise Ehime Maru
• February 20, 2001: Sub Mishap Survivors Still Haunted
• February 19, 2001: Sucess Of Raising Ehime Maru 'Questionable'
• February 19, 2001: Robot Sub Hauled Out For Repairs
• February 19, 2001: Tennessee Town Supports Sub Crew
• February 16, 2001: Search Continues While NTSB Interviews Sub Crew
• February 15, 2001: Police Warn Of Sub Victim Fund Scam
• February 15, 2001: Japanese Outraged Over Sub Revelation
• February 15, 2001: Two Island Residents On Greeneville
• February 14, 2001: Sub Captain Could Face Criminal Inquiry
• February 13, 2001: Ehime Maru Crew Describes Disaster
• February 12, 2001: Bush Offers Prayer For Sub Victims
• February 12, 2001: Latest On Submarine Crash Investigation
• February 11, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Speaks
• February 11, 2001: Sub Commander Reassigned As Search Continues
• February 11, 2001: Sub Collided During Emergency Maneuver