Having made this transit up Sagami Bay to Yokosuka numerous times as XO and Navigator, I can assure you that both the Capt and Navigator were on the bridge. At times we would have 50 plus radar contacts that we were watching. It was a very stressful home coming to our home port. It is likely that the freighter had minimal watch standers and lookouts. A Naval vessel sails blacked out with only running lights on. It is possible the vessel overtook the Fitz and they didn’t react in time to get out of the way.
I couldn’t make it this far in reading this thread, but a who did had this to say to me:
Post 104 helps explain the complexities of navigating in the area of the shipwreck. Post 109 helps explain what a wreck some of the so-called freepers are making of FR.
Couldn’t agree with more.
I give that area credit for about half my white hair.
There but for the grace of God...