Albatross. Hovering next to the deck is acceptable if you have the height above the water and its necessary. Whatever happens the horizontal profile MUST come first when obstacles are in play.
Unwarranted fear of being too slow is just that, unwarranted. Its better to be slow with virtually no ROD from all perspectives.
The issue gets more complex when the deck is very low and there is little wind. In a sensible operation further restrictions on the WAT to supplement the PC2 Exposure requirements should be in place to offer the safety margin required.
However, commercial considerations at the tender do the most damage to the options available to the pilot in these conditions.