Special25,
Interesting question pertaining to night flight and the increased accident rate....exactly the debate American helicopter EMS operators are having....or having thrust upon them by the media, insurance companies, and the FAA.
Flying in the dark over unlighted areas is more hazardous than doing the same thing in the day light...that is no surprise.
The Brent may have had plenty of lights...but the Ninian when it was being built certainly did not. Shuttling about that place in the Winter was a real treat.
But...as John states....with exposure....one gains a certain level of comfort and it does not seem as difficult as when called upon to do the odd night flight.
The thought of a forced uncontrolled night ditching (read crash)....has got to be the worst experience we face....throw in cold water, total darkness, rough seas....and the old paycheck looks mighty skimpy sometimes.