USS Fitzgerald: ACX Crystal's Bridge Was Manned?

I don't believe this captain and flashing of the lights was recordable. He might have a point if the bridge voices was recorded.

These ship owners have gotten pretty smart. They get the lawyers involved in ship construction. I doubt the auto pilot manual inputs get recorded on liability issues. Why record information that would damn you in court?  

Did the NYT's article force ACX Crystal's owner's hand to disclose? 

Report: US warship was warned of collision

A U.S. warship that collided with a container vessel earlier this month was reportedly warned ahead of the collision.

An incident report by the ACX Crystal's captain said the Philippine cargo ship flashed lights warning the USS Fitzgerald was on course to cross its path, Reuters reported.