This story has been around for a very long time and really proves a point in a very humorous but realistic way. After a great deal of research, it was revealed that the story is not actually true. Nevertheless, it’s a great story, creates a fantastic punch-line visual, and makes a very important point.
It consists of an “alleged” transcript of an actual radio conversation between a U.S. naval ship and Canadian maritime contact off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995.
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 COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”
Canadians: “We are a lighthouse; your call.”
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Ah, such a lesson in common sense that’s so so sadly uncommon!
I guess that would be the very first goal of any training or motivational program…to get people to
1)Open their eyes
2)Ask questions BEFORE they speak
3)Be flexible when the answer isn’t what they expected.
Fictional or not, it’s a good object lesson! Thanks!
Funny story ! back to classic lesson – understand real capacity / situation before giving command!