They could still have used their 'legacy S61' approach quite safely but kept at 2400' until BLKMO, descended to 1000' by BKSDA then 200' by BKSDB - that would have kept them clear of terrain and allowed them to get beneath the cloudbase by the time there might have been something (lights etc) to see to assess the weather/vis before a simple left turn into BLKSD into wind once abeam and visual.
Yes, it was 01:00 and they had been up for a while but this was an experienced crew who seemed happy to 'do it they way we have always done it' rather than utilise the capabilities of the aircraft.
The profile they flew would have been safe using NVG - not ideal but safe enough - but unaided at night over the sea is IMC and you wouldn't dream of being below SALT unless you were on an approach (internal or external aids) to your LS.