So, sat in the pub, having a drink with the church wardens (regular Monday night practice – one of the better traditions that I have instituted).

In walks a member of the PCC who happens to be a Captain in the Merchant Navy (it happens when you live in a community like Mersea, which has at least a foot in the water at all times). The conversation turns to signals given between ships at sea, and the story emerges…

… of a time when a sailing ship was displaying lights, coming across the path of another ship, also displaying the correct lights. According to the rules, the first ship has right of way.

There is a quick call on the radio.

“Greetings”, says the second ship. “You have the right of way. Unfortunately I’m drawing 80 feet of draught [ie depth] and my course has been established through the deep water in this channel. I can neither stop nor change my course. Would you be happy to change course instead?”

The (large) sailing ship gets out of the way of the tanker :o)