I've spent quite a bit of time as Command Duty Officer (Underway) on aircraft carriers, including underway replenishment where there is a scant 120' or thereabouts between us and the other ship. That DDG is extremely maneuverable and to my understanding, they were in fairly open ocean. Constant bearing, decreasing range, coupled with the CO's standing order as to when to notify him of vessels in close proximity, I'm not seeing my way clear to explain this.
One of the common themes that I have seen on the 4 ships that I've served on is that the Commanding Officer shall be called to the bridge if another ship will pass withing 1,000 yards. I'm sure this ship was probably no different. I would like to hear whether they failed to notify him. If the Commanding Officer was up and on the bridge, it hard to imagine an excuse.
