A downwind configuration, at a much, much lower height can sometimes give the pilot a good visual reference
(I am by no means an expert having only done them a handfull of times, but it worked for me)
ISTR that static was a major concern to the submariners, so some would use a static discharge pole to ground anything on the hoist before it contacted the boat. This prompted the following radio exchange between ourselves and one of our cousin's finest.
Sub: "We have the static discharge pole ready"
Me: "Roger, DO NOT repeat DO NOT use it on the winchman - he will not be happy"
Winchman (Mr Turnbull): "Yeah, and if you try I will get a pole of my own and we will play 'jousting' "