Maritime Rules

This purports to be the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation
of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities
off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995.

Radio conversation released by the Chief of  Naval Operations 10-10-95:

Americans:
Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

Canadians:
Recommend you 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 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 15 DEGREES NORTH,
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.