Naval Communication

New York Times: Sunday, July 5, 1998
"News of the Week in Review" p. 7

What follows is a transcript of an actual radio conversation between a U.S. naval vessel and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland:

Canadians: Please divert your course 15 degrees south to avoid a collision.

Americans: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.

Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.

Americans: This is the captain of U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert your course.

Canadians: No. I say again, divert your course.

Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three cruisers, three destroyers, and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 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.

Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

Posted by Will Fitzhugh at November 30, 2008 4:44 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas