Yep, no chance it might have been a RAF or RN MPA ....
Thirty years ago, how low we used to fly over those passengers ships on the Mediterranean, or the cargo ships (even lower) or the little sailing yachts (one of my mates cut 20 cm off the tip of a windsurf, for his misery there was witnesses on the beach...)
Warships had to be treated differently if no radio contact - possibility of helicopters operations - and .... remember the RF4C which was shot down by an F14 in 1987 (historic words of the rescued pilot on the deck of the carrier " Weren't we supposed to be on the same side ? " )
Stupid Lieutenant XX, how did you manage to hit this camel ?
Sorry boss, at the very last moment he rose up !