[oldmariner]

As another said, the Captain didn't specify what the question was.

Saying "authorized" was a big mistake. I work somewhere now where I have to be careful using that word because it implies you're taking on the responsibility, and if something goes wrong through no fault of your own, the blame now lies on you where as it wouldn't have if you just simply acknowledged receipt of the question/statement.

Stupid, but that's the world we live in.