I don’t recall the ship maneuvering to avoid things like that, but then, the Soviets weren’t stupid enough to plant themselves in front of a carrier doing 15 knots. They kept a respectful distance from carriers and escorts, but I think our independently operating ships had run ins with them.
I give this ship and crew a break, they obviously aren’t regular navy and probably aren’t armed.
And didn’t want to get blown up had the small patrol boat been a big IED.
We’d all like to see these guys get cut in half by the Navy ship, but political sensibilities probably negate doing that unless the provocation is severe.
That said, an unarmed US Navy vessel in the Gulf without an escort might not be the best plan.
The Russian Krivaks and Sovremennys certainly did play games with our carrier during deployments in the 1980’s. During flight ops we’d have the RAM (restricted in ability to maneuver) day shape (or lights) displayed and they’d cross our bow at 6-7kyds and put up NUC (not under command) shapes (or lights). NUC trumps RAM in the Nautical Rules of the Road, forcing us to go ‘Red Deck’ to maneuver. They didn’t do it often - but they did it. We’d play with them too though, usually leaving them DIW and smoking black.