“...The combination of IFR conditions, pilot inexperience, schedule pressure, and family aboard is asking for trouble.” [Rockingham, post 43]
Everything you posted is true.
On top of that, VFR at night overwater can become tricky even for the most experienced pilots. I’ve heard naval aviators describe nighttime carrier landings as more exciting than combat.
The currency requirement for night traps used to be once every seven days. Haven’t heard of late, what it is now.
The inherent problem of night and instrument flying is that a pilot has to be disciplined enough to follow the instruments and landing lights instead of his gut. And carrier landings are a form of controlled crash in even the best of circumstances.