Re the lifeboats: from other sites in contact with people onboard, the problem was that the seas were too rough to allow deployment of the lifeboats. I've found it difficult to enter the tenders when the seas are just a few feet, let alone 30-40 feet. I believe that's why the captain decided to evacuate by helo. There were risks to all the alternatives. If he had kept everyone aboard, then the ship foundered on the rocks, the losses would have been massive.
There is a live webcam in Molde, Norway, showing the Sky safely tied up. Harrowing experience for those aboard, but disaster averted. I can't imagine anyone handling this situation better than Norwegians.