They had data of "discolored water" in an area 3nm from where the seamount actually was, on a chart not normally used for navigation It is true that they did h

They had data of "discolored water" in an area 3nm from where the seamount actually was, on a chart not normally used for navigation It is true that they did have the chart available, and that they would have been far more prudent with regard to their intended track (and speed of advance) had they known about even something as vague as discolored water while planning the voyage. But implying that the fault was either limited to the crew or obvious in retrospect is unrealistic IMHO. The crew should have done a more thorough scrub during their voyage planning process, but the NOAA and Navy offices that prepare charts should also have done a better job of ensuring that hazards to safe navigation are listed on all of their charts (but especially the ones intended to be used most frequently!), not just one or some of them.