Holy cow! I had no idea you were a real captain, CaptainD! I thought that was just handle! I can do "tip the Swiss" in a canoe! (much more entertaining that dump test!! )And I did dragon boat races once ... think the coast guard would take me?

Arrr, maties. Maybe you're both right - different lingo in different countries?

A sailing matter that makes me laugh everytime. Don't know if it's true or not, but surely it wouldn't be on the net if it weren't, right:
This is the transcript of a radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.

Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a Collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that's one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.[2]

Ahoy, maties!