As far as I know, the pilot was carrying out night approaches to the vessel after being away from MPT for a number of years. When I was involved in MPT line training we would do multiple circuits and approaches as the vessel transitted the shipping channel, then land when it was time for picking up the pilot.
Over water on a very dark night with a newish pilot is no time to practise emergencies. I don't believe it was being done in this case either.
Cheers,
Capt.