Droopystop - it's legal for rig approaches because you are on approach and landing and following an approved procedure - not the case for SAR work so how do they get round it? Possibly because the CAA don't know what they do or understand the dangers of operating below MSA over the sea without proper on-board radar clearances - maybe they just make it up as they go along
If making it difficult for yourself means doing it properly and safely then I'll take that everytime over simple and risky. See what I mean about differences in attitude?