The following is the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation
that took place in October 1995, between a US Navy ship off the coast
of England, and some British authority.
The transcript was released by the MoD.
BRITS: 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.
BRITS: 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.
BRITS: Negative. I say again. You will have to 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 15 DEGREES
NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.
BRITS: We are a lighthouse. **** off.
