A sonar supervisor told the Navy's court of inquiry that with a few more minutes to analyze data, crewmen aboard the USS Greeneville would have probably detected a fishing vessel and avoided a deadly collision off Oahu. Petty Officer 1st Class Edward McGiboney told the panel Friday that a lack of time to perform a proper sonar analysis contributed to the Feb. 9 sinking of the Ehime Maru. The inquiry has zeroed in on two key factors: whether Greeneville Cmdr. Scott Waddle rushed preparations for surfacing and whether he failed to look long enough or high enough to detect the Ehime Maru during a periscope search. McGiboney said that sonar data during a series of high-speed maneuvers before the surfacing accident was unreliable, looking much like spaghetti. He said that more time would have allowed the sonar system to reset itself and obtain good data on surface contacts. Waddle's attorney on Thursday called allegations that Waddle rushed a civilian tour because he was running 45 minutes late "unfounded speculation." Meanwhile, the fire-control technician responsible for manually keeping track of the Ehime Maru has been granted testimonial immunity. Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Seacrest is expected to testify before the inquiry Monday morning. The Navy's investigation found that Secrest did not follow orders when he neglected to notify Waddle that the ship was closer to the submarine than originally thought. He is expected to testify that he was reassured by Waddle's periscope check and that he was somehow affected by the visitors, who were standing between him and Waddle. By being granted immunity, Seacrest's testimony in the inquiry cannot be used against him during any future proceeding, such as a court-martial. Click here to watch the latest report on the inquiry by KITV4 News reporter Daryl Huff. Previous Stories:

• March 15, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Describes Collision
• March 14, 2001: Sub Commander's Style At Heart Of Inquiry
• 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: 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 12, 2001: NTSB Begins Sub Collision Probe
• February 11, 2001: Ehime Maru Captain Speaks
• February 11, 2001: Sub Commander Reassigned As Search Continues
• February 11, 2001: Sub Collided During Emergency Maneuver