I really find it difficult to believe that my writing has been so unclear
No, its not you that is unclear....its the actions of the crew which is unclear.... They were hopelessly lost...They didn't know whether the were VMC or IMC...they were confused....not sure where the NPL was....they were well below the SALT..... The actions for this scenario is taught on day one as Shawbury..... I did my BFT at Culdrose and on day one they taught us the actions for being lost, VMC/IMC etc etc..
However, I don't believe that they were negligent.... just foolish.