dalek,
I find it inconceivable that an experienced Co and ALM allowed John Tapper to Negligently approach the Mull without protest.
I found your theories very interesting, especially as they are based on your own extensive experience. You may not be aware of this but, somewhere way back on this thread are several testimonies offering the view that the ALM was the sort of bloke to have taken the cockpit axe to JT if he had ignored his advice in the possible scenario you give.