Some similarities with the more recent S92 tragedy. Where was the operational control and standards? With the boats in heavy fog, why attempt a beach cloud break when there is a perfectly good ILS nearby that can be flown at 60 knots to impact on a flat unobstructed surface?
Thanks 212man, my pet peeve on night ILS in fog or blowing snow is pilots wanting the landing light on because the checklist says so. Probably the same guys that would overshoot at DH despite there being no other better options.