Mary
I agree with what your saying to have Cranes sticking so high and unlighted is ridiculous.
The main body of the Crane would have been visible the even thinner arm would not.
The argument that you cannot see lighting in the day is ridiculous. Land at any airport early morning with RVR minima and cloud bases without high intensity approach and runway
lights and then claim lighting is a waste of time in the day! that is what some here are claiming.
Strobe type lighting is very visible even in mist.
Yet the politicians will no doubt blame the pilot and put ever more restrictions on where aircraft can go. While I will heap a large portion of blame on the Crane and its lack of visibility to a Visual pilot trying to remain visual in minimal conditions.