It isn’t turning the ship over - capt retains command - just the pilot has the helm. It is common naval practice - did it in Yoko, Subic Bay, Shimonseki straights - true in panamana canal, suez canal etc....
True, and in doing so, He still has ultimate responsibility in the safety of His Vessel. If He did study the chart and it was updated as it should have been by the QM’s with the weekly Notice to Mariners, He, or the Conning Officer should know (as long as the visual bearing takers were on top of things)where, and if there were any changes in the depth of the turning basin. I would start asking if Sonar was giving depth readings, as they should be with every fix taken, as this would give the OOD, Conning Officer and CO the info that the water was shoaling that fast.
And I’m guessing they were going to the 16-17 spots down to the lower left of the chart up there. No Port Captain worth his salt would put a haze grey ship next to a “Yacht Club”...To many complaints.........