332mistress,
I don't think its just inexperienced commanders they will take, it implies that they will take you with NO experience (SAR experience desirable)!
A fully coupled SAR helicopter can hold an accurate hover when it works and the doppler doesn't unlock - unlocking typically over a glassy seas when you have fog (just when you need it). There are no known systems which will hold an accurate hover over a deck or a drifting liferaft, so an experienced commander and winch op is essential.
Add to this inexperienced crewmen and it becomes scary. I agree with you, do BP and their workforce know what they are buying?