Timing for a favorable tide is a valid theory to bring up. However, weird maneuvers indicated by the merchant ship’s position plot is a strange way to do this timing. It is less expensive and easier just to reduce speed and keep to the best safe course.
Was anyone even in command of the merchant ship’s bridge?
None the less, any collision is ultimately the fault of both ships. No matter of the “rules of the road for the stand on versus give way vessel, every captain is completely responsible for avoiding a collision.
Was this collision intentional? Was there a reason that the USN ship was unable to maneuver to avoid collision?
But look at the whole track. Why was that vessel even in “shallow waters” no where near it’s origin or destination?
Yes, high tide was the only thing I could think of. I’m not a sailor, but living here in DC know that the ships that come into Alexandria often have to wait until high tide to do it if they need the water level, or low tide to get under the Wilson Bridge.
Your question is definitely valid: “Was anyone even in command of the merchant ship’s bridge?”