The track of the Fitz is speculation, though. So that map is basically worthless. We don’t know where the collision occurred.
found this, might be interesting:
Eric Megar
CEO, Maerospace Corp.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/assessing-uss-fitzgerald-collision-acx-crystal-eric-meger
The Fitz could EASILY avoid an intentional ramming by a cargo ship at sea.
Easily.
Crystal then left the area (perhaps Fitzgerald said they were OK) but later called Crystal for assistance and turn 3 was made as Crystal tried to return to the area of the collision and was again told that Fitzgerald was OK and didn't need anything which led to turn 4 as Crystal again began leaving the area toward Japan.
That's the only thing I can think of that would explain that big loop and aiming at a return to the area of the first turn.
Aren’t destroyers loaded with systems to prevent intentional rammings?
Assuming (I know, I know...) that USS Fitzgerald sighted ACX Crystal when she was around point #5 on that chart, wouldn’t normal procedure be to steer a bit starboard and pass the container ship port-to-port, before beginning that eastward turn?