The water is too cold for manatees, I'm bored

[NightWatcher]

Background: I'm working on a commercial dredge somewhere in Florida as a Marine Endangered Species Observer watching for manatees. When they get within 50 feet of us, I give the word and they shut down operations for an hour after the manatee leaves the area.

A record number of manatees died last year due to the cold so I'm glad that there are none around as the water temp has dropped into deadly territory for the beloved sea cows.........but I'm freakin bored. 12 hour shifts through February or March every day, with nothing but my trusty iPhone to entertain me.

What are some fun free iPhone apps and podcasts (I already listen to all the NPR shows)?

The good news (aside from the pay) is that I'm accruing sea time towards my Captains License like a sonofabitch. More than 200 this year alone.

[Lucinda]

1. Cant help with ap suggestions but I can kick this for you.

:)

[csziggy]

2. Can you watch for fossils?

Either in the stuff dredged up or along the shores?

[NightWatcher]

4. Nope, it's a bucket dredge that loads a scow

They are deepening a basin, basically taking muck from the bottom and dumping offshore. The beach renourishment jobs are pretty cool when you get to see what's dredged up. We've found whale vertebrae before in the hopper (too bad it's illegal to keep them because they'd look cool in your office or livingroom)

[csziggy]

5. That's too bad - my sister is always looking for fossils

She used to get access to phosphate pits, but there is little mining going on anymore. Now she goes up and down rivers when the water levels are low and looks along the banks. She's got some private locations where she has made some major finds - stuff the professionals beg to get access to!

Back when Granddad was manager of a mine, he paid the workers to watch out for fossils and artifacts that would get caught in the screens. Mostly what he had were shark's teeth, some 8" long or so. One of the neater things was a basket made of bark - no telling how old it was if it came from a wet site. I guess my uncle inherited it - I have not seen it since my grandmother died.

Do you have to turn your finds over to the state?

[denbot]

3. Kicking for dumb-ass copycat

No manatees were harmed making this post.