Initially, I defended Captain Bryson. I thought sure, no commander could've ever committed such willful negligence.
Having read the subsequent reports, he was negligent in personnel training, and in the readiness of his ship. Therefore, by failing in #2 above, he placed his crew in harm.
I would also add that what I read of the OOD's actions (and inactions) leading up to this accident, she is also at fault, along with the Combat TAO and Surface Watch officers.
Correction: Captain “Benson,” not “Bryson.”