I'm trying to think if I've ever had a heading like 018 (other than maintain runway heading) given for vectors in airline flying. If that's what I thought we heard, like everyone here says, I would question and confirm.
I totally agree that a radar vector to 018 just wouldn't happen. However, we just don't know what they were thinking. There may even have been a difference of opinion being "discussed" on the F/D, with the captain insisting on his interpretation.