That's the best question I can think of John! From all reports, everyone on board the sub were completely surprised. I truly am anxious to hear the Sonar explanation, because everything else seems like things that could happen...radar, periscope, etc. The sonar on the L.A. attack subs is pretty sophisticated from what little I know from reading and all. Your "goldfish fart" is pretty accurate. The only things I know of that would have kept it from picking up the trawler would be a layer of extra salinity (not likely), a thermal inversion (not likely either), or it was just not being monitored (or off). I'd like to know how this one can be explained.....or not.

Spaw