As a former SWO, I agree with LITS original point, and I am quite certain that he is aware of OPSEC restrictions and the like.
In my five years driving ships, I remember very few cases where ROTR were grossly violated, but I think that has more to do with the fact that I never transited places like the Chesapeake Bay while on watch myself. I suppose if you hang around there long enough, you'll rack up all kinds of sea stories to share later.
ROTR are written to prevent accidents. It is therefore in the best interests of all involved to not only follow them, but to extend to other vessels a sense of respect and recognition that we are all in "the game" together. It's certainly a hell of a lot more civilized than the DC Beltway or the Miami Palmetto.
Navy ships, in general, have no special rank over other ships. Unless they are engaged in UNREP, or flight ops, or are not under command (look it up - it doesn't mean the crew hanged the CO from the yardarm), then they are just another powered vessel.
The training manuals are full of stories of Navy ships that ignored ROTR, or "eyeballed" the MOBOARD solution, or otherwise just didn't put 2 and 2 together (with a result of 4, at any rate).
When you get the chance to drive, don't screw it up. If you do, it's not considered a career-enhancing move.
Another thing that should NOT be done on Channel 16 is treating it like CB Channel 19. This isn't a nautical version of Smokey and the Bandit. If you want to have a long, drawn-out conversation, please SWITCH TO ANOTHER CHANNEL. First off, no one else gives a damn what you and your pal on the garbage scow upriver may be chatting about, and second, others need that channel to initiate communications before switching over to another channel.
Finally, don't say anything you don't want everyone within earshot to laugh at you for. It's not good form.