I scan the area with binoculars and have often been able to spot the target first, but I only do this when I suspect my watch crew missed something (say, I had a contact report and arrived at calculated interception point, or I'm following a hydrophone contact and have a feeling it should be visible already). Also, I had regularly make 360 degree hydrophone sweeps every now and then, since I am usually able to pick up a strange noise sooner than my sonarman.
Once I was also able to spot an airplane before watch crew reported it, this however was pure chance - I entered the bridge to look at the surroundings and after several seconds picked up a faint buzzing noise. Crash-dived just in time.
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