Actually, the Kennedy (CIC, the bridge, and so the CO) had been aware
of the dhow for quite some time. Navy Times ran a fairly detailed
account, but apparently the CO elected to remain on Fox Corpen(some
problem with getting a laggard F-14 back aboard IIRC) even though that
would be bring the dhow close aboard.
Bottom line is the skipper knew about the dhow and ran over it
anyway...(And before anybody starts, I know, ball-diamond-ball and all
that)
Working from memory here...Will see if I can find the article later.