200540 Writing the Logbook?

Writing the Logbook?
MARS Report 200540

One morning, during a recent working visit to a passenger ship, I was in the observation lounge immediately above the bridge. The ship was heading south at about twelve knots and some five or six miles off the coast. Visibility was excellent. I was particularly interested in a ferry which was crossing from starboard to port and which appeared to be on a steady bearing about five points on the starboard bow. I recognized her, despite her new colour scheme, as she had been my first command many years previously and in a different location, hence the initial interest. The range decreased steadily with no apparent change of bearing.

When the ferry was no more than a mile away, and probably less, own ship turned sharply to port onto a course parallel to that of the ferry, which then overtook close down own starboard side. Once the ferry was clear, a gentle turn took us back to the original course. I do not know if there was any VHF communication between the two ships. I heard no sound signals. There was no apparent reason to prevent a turn to starboard in good time by own ship, as there were no off-lying dangers and no other traffic. As an alternative, a reduction in speed would have resolved the situation.

I appreciate the dangers of making assumptions based on scanty information, but as the turn to port was made a few minutes before 0800, I have to wonder if the 0400-0800 watch-keepers were so engrossed in the end of watch paperwork that the ferry had not been noticed. The arrival of the relief watch might have caused the avoiding action. The ferry, as stand on vessel, appears to have been happy with the situation or had not noticed a problem.