Real conversation recorded on the Navy emergency frequency canal 106 between Spanish and Americans, October 16th, 1997.
Spanish:
This is A-853. Please change your direction 15 degrees to avoid collision. You are heading straight on us, 25 miles
Americans
We suggest you change the position 15 degrees north to avoid collision
Spanish
Negative. We repeat change your direction 25 degrees south to avoid collision
Americans (different voice)
This is captain of the US Navy. We still insist you change the course 15 degrees north to avoid collision
Spanish
We cant take such decision because its not a good one or possible at this moment. Change your position 15 degrees south otherwise there will be a collision!!!
Americans
This is captain Richard James, Chief of the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln. We are the second biggest ship of the US Navy. We would like to inform you that we are escorted by 4 submarines, 6 destroyers and 2 battle cruisers. We are heading the Gulf for exercises.
So Im not suggesting I order you to change your course 15 degrees. Otherwise we will have to take all necessary actions to ensure safety of the ship as well as the united political coalition. You are our allies and members of NATO. I order you to do what you are told and change the direction.
Spanish
This is Juan Manuel Salas Alcantara. There is two of us escorted by our dog. We have food, wine and canary bird which sleeps right now. We have the support of La Coruna Radio and the channel 106 Navy emergency one. We are not going anywhere. We are on land. We are the Lighthouse A 853 on the Galician coast. We have no #$%^ clue what position in the ranking of Spanish lighthouses we have. You take any actions you want to ensure the safety of your &*^% ship, which is going to crash on the rocks. This is why we suggest once more to change your course 15 degrees south to avoid it. OK???
Spanish:
This is A-853. Please change your direction 15 degrees to avoid collision. You are heading straight on us, 25 miles
Americans
We suggest you change the position 15 degrees north to avoid collision
Spanish
Negative. We repeat change your direction 25 degrees south to avoid collision
Americans (different voice)
This is captain of the US Navy. We still insist you change the course 15 degrees north to avoid collision
Spanish
We cant take such decision because its not a good one or possible at this moment. Change your position 15 degrees south otherwise there will be a collision!!!
Americans
This is captain Richard James, Chief of the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln. We are the second biggest ship of the US Navy. We would like to inform you that we are escorted by 4 submarines, 6 destroyers and 2 battle cruisers. We are heading the Gulf for exercises.
So Im not suggesting I order you to change your course 15 degrees. Otherwise we will have to take all necessary actions to ensure safety of the ship as well as the united political coalition. You are our allies and members of NATO. I order you to do what you are told and change the direction.
Spanish
This is Juan Manuel Salas Alcantara. There is two of us escorted by our dog. We have food, wine and canary bird which sleeps right now. We have the support of La Coruna Radio and the channel 106 Navy emergency one. We are not going anywhere. We are on land. We are the Lighthouse A 853 on the Galician coast. We have no #$%^ clue what position in the ranking of Spanish lighthouses we have. You take any actions you want to ensure the safety of your &*^% ship, which is going to crash on the rocks. This is why we suggest once more to change your course 15 degrees south to avoid it. OK???
