NavList:

It doesn't take much for the bridge, of even a U.S.Navy ship, to be down to depending on one person to see potential danger.

A memory I try to repress is in the late 1960's I was the Junior OOD on the bridge of a U.S. DLG during a lull in training exercises. Nice day. Unlimited visibility. Killing time. Maybe 5 knots. The OOD and I were on the starboard bridge wing talking when the carrier radioed "Xxxx be advised that I am about to commence launching aircraft and intend to hold my course and speed." We were about to cross the 30+ knot carrier's bow from his starboard side. Lots of excitement and we then had to call the Captain and tell him what had happened.
I don't think the subject of the 7000 ton DLG technically having the right of way over the 50,000 ton carrier was ever mentioned.

Everything came down to the port lookout who, for some reason I forget, didn't report the carrier bearing down on us. It was also the fault of everyone else up the chain of command on the bridge.

How much more likely that this might happen in the early morning hours is easy to imagine.
Regards, Noell