The pier is an interesting approach. Last night we barely survived by holing up in the bathroom and closet next to the front door. It worked well, except for when the tank came - you can't let the tank trap you in the bathroom, so you have to run for it when you hear him coming.
I suspect the pier would have a similar problem, way too easy for the tank to knock you into the water. You will have to run when the tank comes, but that isn't too hard to do.
Confined spaces + tank = death. Wide open space + tank = lol.