“Both crews did not attempt to contact the merchant ship bearing down on them, sound a warning horn, sound a collision warning or sound general quarters before the impacts.”
Chain of command confusion? Sounds like no one on the bridge was viewed as “in charge” or that person “froze” when decisions had to be made.
Granted my time goes back to the Vietnam era, but when I said I had the deck and the conn I was in charge. That is so basic. My CO also had a standing order to make a significant course change before a ship got close to ensure you were always in safe water. Make that course change even if by the rules of the road you are supposed to maintain course and speed. Don’t transfer the fate of your ship to another, if you become unsure they are going to behave correctly.