During the early part of the evening, "Voyager" had no difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed. Following a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of both ships beginning at 8:40 pm, "Voyager" ended up to starboard of "Melbourne". At 8:52 pm, "Voyager" was ordered to resume the plane guard station. The procedure to accomplish this required "Voyager" to turn away from "Melbourne" in a large circle, cross the carrier's stern, then take position off "Melbourne"s port side. Instead, "Voyager" first turned to starboard, away from "Melbourne", then turned to port without warning. It was initially assumed by "Melbourne"s bridge crew that "Voyager" was conducting a series of tight turns to lose speed before swinging behind "Melbourne", but "Voyager" did not alter course again.