Why Sydney's seaplane was not launched

Why did Sydney not launch her reconnaissance seaplane while approaching the suspicious ship?

An earlier launch might have provided safer reconnaissance, but the aircraft was later stowed and the surviving evidence does not reveal why Sydney's command made that choice.

Launching the aircraft earlier would have allowed a scouting pass over the suspicious vessel while Sydney remained farther away. Such reconnaissance is treated as standard procedure, although the ships were eventually too close for a safe launch. The aircraft had been prepared before its engine was shut down and the catapult returned to the stowed position. The surviving evidence does not preserve the Australian command discussion, so the reason for that decision remains uncertain.