Looks like CTF-56 is getting relieved over this whole affair.
Quote from the article, though . . .
WTFO?? First, how the F is there confusion about who the SOPA is when there are two boats, and maybe 1-2 commissioned officers in the formation? Lineal numbers are not rocket science. And how is the helmsman "refusing an order" now "confusion," and not a violation of UCMJ Article 90?
Yeah, that seriously pissed me off.
There's zero confusion if they were IAW SOP:
One Patrol Officer (only commissioned O) is in charge of the whole patrol.
Each boat has its own boat captain (E-6/7), but the boats fall under the patrol's chain of command.
Coxswains work for their boat captains.
The ONLY good reason I can think of for the coxswain to refuse an order to "evade" is if the PO ordered him to leave the boat and crew with the propulsion casualty behind. And that opens up an even worse problem that I'd hope would never happen.
The general sloppiness in all respects with this unit really gets me bent out of shape. You don't give cool toys to untrained personnel expecting good results.