This is somewhat confusing. It sounds as if you are saying they need to be making noise to know where they or something else is in the water.
I thought we were a little more capable than that.
That is exactly what I am saying. Active sonar gives them a detailed picture of their surroundings. It also let’s everyone else know where they are. When running silent / passive they listen for the noises of other ships. Terrain does not make any noise. It’s entirely possible that the mountain they hit was not on their charts. Or they were not where they thought they were or both or yet still it could have been a bad command decision.
I think they just fired the boats command personnel so this may have not been due to bad charts of an unknown undersea mountain/rise.
Hope that helps.