SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Passengers on the next tour of the Tensaw-Mobile River Delta Sept. 13 aboard the Blakeley State Park tour boat will have something new and special to be watching for as the boat plies the delta waters.

A manatee has been spotted near the Blakeley dock by Tim Gilchrist, park supervisor, while operating the Delta Explorer near there. The sighting was immediately reported to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, which is recording sightings in the Alabama coastal area.

Information on the large, slow moving endangered West Indian manatee will be provided to passengers on the Blakeley Park boat along with tips on spotting the elusive creatures that swim just below the surface. The recent sighting was the first by park personnel although Dauphin Island Sea Lab specialists report that the number of sightings is increasing.

The Delta Explorer trip Sept. 13 is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. leaving from the Blakeley Park dock on the Tensaw River. Seating is on a first come-first serve basis but tickets can be purchased in advance by credit card by calling 626-5581. Rain checks will be provided if weather conditions force the park to postpone the trip.

Blakeley State Park is located on Alabama Highway 225 about 4.5 miles north of where 225 intersects with U.S. 31 at Spanish Fort.

Prices of tickets for the boat tour are $22 for adults, $12 for children 6 to 12 and free for children between 4 and 6. For information on chartered boat tours call 626-0798. The next scheduled walk on trip is Saturday, Sept. 27.