Heli-cal: I'll try the direct approach then.
Engine likelihood of failure is minimal. However the point I was making is that even a twin operating at this height would not be immune from a power unit failure and the consequences would be the same as a single - only heavier.
Floats : my point is that, again, in these circumstances floats may actually cause more of a problem. They certainly won't save the aircraft. And the weight of them decreases the performance of the helicopter - thereby increasing risk.
To answer your question - why would you do this in an R44 ? - the answer is to possibly save lives. You also don't know what was outside the frame of the picture - there may have been people in the water (dead or alive). There may have been other craft.
The sarcasm is my way of dealing with misconceptions and the constant circulation of myths. You seem to doubt the reliability of the R44 engine. But where's your proof ? Is it any more unreliable than any other helicopter powerplant ?
Would multiple powerplants be any better in these circumstances ?