We actually have a term in NZ, im sure the rest of you have heard, PICUS, Pilot in Command Under Supervision.
Someone has to supervise the PIC, especially young or junior pilots. There is nothing to stop the CEO, CP, Director of the company from going onboard every flight of a junior pilot, until he is happy with how that pilot is flying. Then as the Junior pilot gets to undertake more "difficult" jobs, a good CP will then go with the junior pilots to ensure that they dont do anything stupid and end up dead.
That is actually what "should" happen in a good company. Therefore both pilots are allowed to be onboard a single pilot helicopter at the same time. And yes, you can supervise without a medical, and we get our license for a lifetime in NZ. and no we don't have to have type checks every couple of years like the UK. you have a license, if you have done a BFR within the previous 2 years then you can fly any machine that you are rated for.
Yes you need a medical. we also have different levels of medicals for different operations.
And as for saying they should let the "professional SAR crew" do the operation, here in New Zealand there is every possibility that the Junior pilot that was flying the 44 has as much experience as the SAR pilot. They are just flying different machines. Our local SAR helicopter gets these "highly experienced" pilots with 1500-2000 hrs.
Around here that still makes you a junior pilot...
Maybe there is more to this story than what the newspapers reported??? It wouldn't be the first time that the reporters didn't get all the relevant facts...