Yes, well said, and I agree with all of it. An IFR qualified pilot would have instantly recognized the route guide was not an approach procedure for use under IMC, and they wouldn't have been suckered into using it until VMC was established. The crew were clearly operating in VFR mode, in the mistaken belief they were VMC, when in actual fact the visibility was much less than that required for VMC. They didn't know, but should have known, BLKMO had a lighthouse parked on it, whatever height it was, because they should have been expecting to see it from 5nm to confirm that VMC prevailed. I don't know on what basis they formed the opinion they were VMC and clear to proceed on the route guide.