Many years ago, a U.S. Navy battleship was heading toward a dangerous situation involving a potential battle. Everyone on the ship was tense and on edge.
One dark and stormy night in heavy seas, the Officer of the Deck (OOD) came to the Captain to report a light spotted off the bow.
Through the pitch-black night, the Captain sees a light, dead ahead on a collision course with his ship.
He tells the OOD, “Send a signal: ‘Change your course—starboard right, 20 degrees!’”
“Aye, Captain!”
A few minutes later, the OOD reports back to the Captain, “Message received, Sir. ‘Starboard right, yourself!’”
The Captain becomes furious. Everyone traveling in sea lanes passes to the right.
“Radio back this message: ‘This is Captain Hubbard of the mighty United States Navy battleship, USS Missouri. Starboard Right, and Starboard Right now!’”
A few minutes later, the OOD reported back to the Captain, “Message received, Sir. ‘We are a lighthouse. Your call.’”