HONOLULU -- The submarine sailor who was responsible for tracking surface ships told a Navy panel Monday that he did not communicate that there was a ship near the surfacing sub.

The USS Greeneville collided with the Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru on Feb. 9. Nine crew members were lost and presumed dead.

USS GREENEVILLE COURT OF INQUIRY Admiral Denies Waddle Immunity Watch Cmdr. Scott Waddle's Statement To Reporters What Is A Court Of Inquiry? Major Figures In Court Of Inquiry Unofficial Transcripts USS GREENEVILLE Commissioned: Feb. 16, 1996 Los Angeles-class attack nuclear submarine Homeported in Pearl Harbor in March 1997 Max crew: 130 EHIME MARU Specs: 499 tons 190.8 feet long 30.5 feet wide Max crew: 76

Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick Seacrest told the Court of Inquiry that he stopped plotting for some time.

Capt. Bruce MacDonald asked Seacrest, "You got lazy, didn't you?"

"Yes, sir, a little bit," Seacrest responded.

Seacrest also said that he never communicated to Cmdr. Scott Waddle and Lt. Michael Coen that there was a ship 4,000 yards away. He said he didn't say anything despite a standing order by Waddle to tell him if there were any ships within 4,000 yards.

The panel asked Seacrest if he was backing up Waddle at the time of the collision.

"It's my responsibility to tell the commander that the ship was within 4,000 yards," he said. "It's my responsibility to back them up."

"That's not very good backup," MacDonald said.

"Yes sir," Seacrest replied.

The panel asked if the civilian guests on board the submarine impeded Seacrest from doing his job in any way. He said that he didn't think so.

Seacrest also told the court that he had information and data on his displays indicated that the Ehime Maru was about 2,000 yards from the sub as they surfaced.

However, he said that he dismissed the information because Waddle and Coen did not see the ship during their periscope search.

"I thought all the contacts were distant," Seacrest said.

Seacrest has served 14 years in the Navy. He is the most senior fire control technician on the Greeneville. He conducts training for the other technicians as well as maintenance and administration duties.

Seacrest has been granted immunity for his testimony so his testimony can't be held against him.

Waddle told reporters that he was glad Seacrest's testimony would be heard.

"It is important that we hear what he has to say," Waddle said. "I am appreciative that Adm. Fargo has granted him testimonial immunity. Neither he nor petty officer McGiveny are responsible for this tragic accident.

"In command, responsibility and accountability are absolute. The responsibility and accountability are mine."

• Click here for the latest on Cmdr. Waddle's request for immunity

Last Witness Called

The three-admiral panel unexpectedly called its last witness in the inquiry Monday. After testimony was completed, both executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer and officer of the deck Lt. j.g. Michael Coen issued statements. Both refused to be questioned.

Pfeifer's handed in a written statement that was not released to the media. However, Coen made a statement to the court that includes word directed to the families of the Ehime Maru victims.

"I cannot comprehend the grief you must feel," Coen said. "I want you to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers at all times, and you will be for the rest of my life."

Japanese Prime Minister To Visit Disaster Site

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori arrives in Honolulu Tuesday morning and plans to visit the site of the Ehime Maru tragedy.

A spokeswoman for the Japanese Consulate said that Mori will go to the site nine miles south of Diamond Head and toss flowers into the water. Mori also is scheduled to lay a wreath at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

Mori, who met with President Bush Monday in Washington, is scheduled to arrive at 4:15 a.m. at Hickam Air Force Base. He is scheduled to leave for Japan at 1:30 p.m.