This is a transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation between a US navel ship and the Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995.
Canadians: “Please divert your course by 15 degrees south to avoid a collision”.
Americans: “Recommend that you divert your course by 15 degrees north to avoid a collision”
Canadians: “Negative. You have to divert your course by 15 degrees south to avoid a collision”
Americans: “This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course”.
Canadains: “No. I say again divert YOUR course”.
Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN. THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE BY 15 DEGREES NORTH, I SAY AGAIN, THAT’S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP”.
Canadains: “This is a lighthouse. Your Call”.