From: ?SYNTAX ERROR
I heard from this one from a bloke at the pub who swore that it happened to his friend's cousin and it is absolutely true:
A United States aircraft carrier is approaching the waters off New Zealand, when a blip appears on their radar screen. They get on the radio and say:
"This is the USS Nimitz, please veer 20 degrees starboard".
The answer comes back: "No, you veer 20 degrees port!".
The American Admiral is a little upset with this and takes over the microphone, "This is the USS Nimitz, we reccommend that you veer 20 degrees starboard!".
Again the answer comes back: "No! You veer 20 degrees to port!".
Finally the Admiral loses his temper and says: "This is the USS Nimitz, a United States warship, we strongly recommend that you veer 20 degrees starboard now!"
The answer comes back: "Well, this is a lighthouse, your call!".