[Coral-List] Underwater signage

[Szmant, Alina]

However, it is a Federal offense to label something that is radioactive that is not.  So maybe come up with some novel scary text....

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Dr. Alina M. Szmant
Professor of Marine Biology
Center for Marine Science and Dept of Biology and Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
5600 Marvin Moss Ln
Wilmington NC 28409 USA
tel:  910-962-2362  fax: 910-962-2410  cell: 910-200-3913
http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
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-----Original Message-----
From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of Michael Risk
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 1:49 PM
To: Ruleo Camacho
Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov list
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Underwater signage

Good day.

Many years ago [the statute of limitations has now run out] I was attempting to obtain settling rates of invertebrates on panels with different textures, set underwater at Catalina Island. I ran into terrible problems with treasure hunters/vandals/thieves damaging the experimental setups. So I devised a modified technique. I wrote my text on the panels using red nail polish, and then covered that with a fiberglass gelcoat. The panels themselves were simply soft wood 2 x 6 pieces, covered in fiberglass. What I wrote was not accurate, but was designed to repel invaders.

Worked like a charm. The panels were underwater for many months, the signage remained legible, and any algae could simply be wiped off.

 A friend of mine, the manager of the Marine Lab, was standing on the lab dock one day when a dive boat pulled up, and a red-faced overweight  irate diver  jumped off. He said "Hey! I was just diving out on the rocks, and I saw some panels down there.  I whipped out my knife and was going to collect them for my rec room, when I read the sign that said DANGER RADIOACTIVE.  Am I in any danger because I came so close?"

Bob had a moment to think, this is the kind of guy that has just caused Mike to lose six months work. Then he said "Sir, you are in absolutely no danger. There is only a slight chance of any damage. Go home, and if you do not notice any change in your external genitalia over the next six months, you will know you are out of danger."

Several lessons here. First, don't try this at home. Second, a gelcoat over your text is a guarantee of longevity. Of your text.

Mike
On 2013-05-16, at 8:39 AM, Ruleo Camacho wrote:

> Good Day,
> I am attempting to create some underwater signage for a snorkeling 
> reef trail but I have been having immense difficulty in obtaining a 
> material which would be adequate to stand up to the rigors of salt 
> water and and micro organisms. Any suggestions on what 
> materials/methods may be suitable for this use?
> Regards
> 
> --
> Ruleo
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list

Michael Risk
riskmj at mcmaster.ca



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