8 legs-No Waiting

In the marina is where I might wish to meet a captain seeking crew for a race or daysail.  Yachts are often better managed and more fun with a group of persons to take direction and set the sails.  So, I was happy to receive an invitation to crew on a beautiful Sunday in Rodney Bay.

But, as the old adage warns, be careful what you wish for!  Turns out the vessel was a working barge and the mission for the crew was to set a mooring for mega-catamarans.  The mooring consisted of a 2.5 ton concrete block attached by heavy chain to a bright yellow buoy.  The intention is that boats can attach or detach to the chain and aren't required to set an anchor.

This barge came equipped with a crane, wheel-house and more ways to hurt yourself that you could possibly imagine. Rolling, swinging, low-hanging, sharp and unpredicatable objects were everywhere.  After some repairs and preparation, soon we were motoring to the center of the bay with our massive cargo.

Dropping the block was relatively easy, and then came the time to retrieve the old mooring.
Years underwater, the block had provided homes for anemone, seaweed and barnacles.  As the tonnage landed by my feet immediately out of the chain hole emerged a leg. And then another, and another, another, another, another, another, and... another!  This sudden creature moved a bit to fast for me to get a good photo as it sidestepped it's way back to the sea.