This is an actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. This radio conversation was released by the chief of naval operations on October 10, 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 countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
CANADIANS: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
