Change Your Course – is it a battle of wills … or won’ts?
One night the captain of a tanker saw a light dead ahead. He directed his signalman to flash a signal to the light which went “Change course 10 degrees South.”
The reply was quickly flashed back, “You change course 10 degrees North.”
The captain was a little annoyed at this reply and sent a further message, “I am a captain. Change course 10 degrees South.”
Back came the reply, “I am an able-seaman. Change course 10 degrees North.”
The captain was outraged at this reply and sent a message, “I am a 240,000 ton tanker. CHANGE course 10 degrees South!”
Back came the reply, “I am a LIGHTHOUSE. Change course 10 degrees North!!!!”
From CRUISING HELMSMAN October 1987