AWO Near Miss 23-03 Using a Bit as a Step

A tug and barge unit were docking alongside a ship to conduct a bunker transfer. As the tug and barge unit began mooring operations, a tug deckhand trainee stepped on top of a double mooring bit to reach a mooring fixture on the ship. The experienced tank barge PIC immediately requested the deckhand trainee to step down onto the deck and utilize a pole to deploy the mooring line as standing atop was unsafe and a fall overboard risk.