Incidentally QDM
... flying a helicopter over the North Sea at night
Why a helicopter? As long as you were moving through a landscape you get forced perspective. It would make little difference what vehicle you were in at the time. Although I can see your point that being in a hover without any eternal references could be a little tricky, but why would a non-instrument rated pilot be in the hover over the North Sea at night? That would be like playing Russian roulette with one empty chamber.
The only time I have flown at night in a featureless terrain was on a journey from Bullhead City to San Diego. When the panel lights were turned off briefly there was nothing but blackness... no roads, no towns, no stars... nothing. Are you suggesting that a pilot with stereoscopic vision would be better suited to fly in those conditions than a monocular pilot? If so, why? Do stereoscopic pilots also have thermal imaging capabilities?
Any newbies out there that are reading this, whether you have one, two or three eyes... I strongly advise you get at least an IFR rating before you attempt to fly over featureless terrain at night.
QDM, I apologise if I'm being an a*se, I feel very strongly about this. The CAA arguments for not letting me have a Class 1 medical do not hold water. They are making a mockery of aviation.
Keep it safe
BlipOnTheRadar