Canadian V US Navy

[Guest Thrasher]

Actual Radio Conversation

 

This was a conversation between a US naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in late 1995.

 

Canadians: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the 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 a US Navy ship. I say again,

 

divert YOUR course.

 

Canadians: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.

 

Americans: This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second

 

largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers 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.