Dangerous Line Handling Event and Unsafe Crossing of a Gap While Tow is Underway

A towboat pushing two barges in doubled up configuration was shifting tow to better align barge and dock manifolds in preparation to transfer cargo at a facility at Southwest Pass, Louisiana. The tow was still underpower and making way when the shore tankerman grabbed line and jumped from the barge to a piling cluster.  The deckhand witnessed the individual jumping onto a piling cluster with a line and exercised Stop Work Responsibility hailing the Wheelman on Watch to take off way and calling on the tankerman to stop his actions and return to the barge.  Once the shore tankerman was safe aboard the barge, the deckhand and wheelman met with the individual discussing safe line throwing techniques and to never jump off barge to a piling cluster, dock etc.