"With regard to the first, I don't think one more yellow caution would really be a distraction when you HAVE to do an auto!"
VL, I agree but think you are missing the point. If you do this a lot you would know what I`m talking about.
Comparing the SP, I belive you can arm the floats at 135 kts. On the S-92 its 80 kts.
"With regard to the second - if that's your Company's SOPs then you should be directing this point to them. There is no reason I can think of why you would want to complete an ARA at a speed greater than 80kts??? "
VL, Why would you want to fly below Vy on an ARA approach?
The reason for flying an ARA at VY is if you loose an engine at this point, all you would have to do is adjust collective. All the rest is set, a/c attitude, Best Rate of Climb 80kts. The drawback is your speed is to high for arming the floats.
All this is beside the cause of the accident, but explains some details around the float issue.