The Standoff Story

Thursday Oct 26th, 2017

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This is a story of a radio conversation that took place a number of years ago between a U.S. naval ship and Canadian maritime contact off the coast of Newfoundland.  While the tale may or may not be true, it truly makes a great point about making assumptions:

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

Canadians:  Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees south to avoid collision.

Americans:  This is the captain of a U.S. 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 COUNTERMEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.

Canadians:  We are a lighthouse; your call.

Some assumptions can sink your ship!

 


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