I am a realist and what you should do and what people do can be separate!
Imagine pilot A on a SVFR clearance to Jersey over the sea? He is VFR and VMC at 2000 feet 25 miles out! The weather at Jersey is 3000 overcast with viz within SVFR limits
He sees an isolated patch of cloud across his path descending to 800 feet over the sea
Will he descend to 700 feet or decide to punch it For 3 minutes maintaining 2000 feet ?
My guess is some would descend while others would loose sight of the sea for a few minutes!
Why would he get so close to the building if he was visual with it?
As for seeing strobe lighting ? It is visual in cloud and can be seen in some conditions out of cloud!
I am
Not for one minute suggesting that the Crane arm would have been avoided if it had been properly lit but there is a chance it may have been seen!
A chance is better than NO chance
Pace