we know the tracks of the ships that collided with Fitzgerald and McCain. They stayed on constant course and speed throughout the period of time when collision was a possibility.
The Navy does not give a benefit of a doubt to the CO of a ship, and there is little doubt in the mind of anyone knowledgeable about ship operations that the OOD and directly or derivatively the CO are absolutely responsible for these collisions.
No competent conning officer allows a naval vessel to be in reach of collision with his ship. The one exception is navigating in a narrow channel where maneuverability is restricted. That is a circumstance that does not apply here.
Simple solution: require every U.S. Naval officer to simply take and pass the U.S. Coast Guard’s 3rd mates exam!
Plain and simple seamanship.