Hot&Hi Quote ''- The guys are training ship landings, yet no instructor on board''
It wasn't training for the pilot but 'training' for the guy on deck to stay current.
Even if it was a pilot training to stay current, that's nothing more than making 3 take off and landings in 90 days. Similar to a Robbie pilot having to fly regularly, no instructor needed unless you've expired.
Agree with all your other statements.
Sad that two lives were lost which could have been prevented, the accident but also the egress after ditching