Back then forecasters didn't have satellites or even land-based radar. All they had were ships at sea.

Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.

We develop these tools in tandem with the forecasters. They know what they're looking for from us to aid the forecasting problem.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep

Where lies the land, to which the ship would go?
Far, far ahead is all, her seamen know.
And where the land she travels from?
Away, far far behind, is all that they can say.

I've never seen the point of the sea, except where it meets the land. The shore has a point. The sea has none.