[Bruce Campbells Chin]

What if the Captain has issued strict orders that no change in course is to take place without his approval. In other words, “Wake me up and you’d better have a damn good reason for doing so.”

Then he's an idiot. But even generally, "no change in course" won't be considered to apply to dodging obstacles, and then resuming initial course/speed. That is a common occurrence because fishing boats, etc., pop up all the time.

I cannot imagine -- outside of a movie or actual insanity a captain issuing specific orders barring the OOD from taking action to avoid a collision while he's asleep. And if he did, the OOD's proper response is to avoid the collision anyway, accept the consequences, and then request Admiral's Mast if necessary.

[Terry Mross]

I have a feeling in today’s Navy lots of Sailors are afraid to sneeze without direct permission.