Little boats should keep near shore

Vessels large may venture more, but little boats should keep near shore.

To reach a port we must set sail –
Sail, not tie at anchor
Sail, not drift.

You would think it's not as dangerous as being out in the street. How could two boats out in the middle of nowhere collide with each other? Because boaters get distracted. They get lost in the feeling of wide openness, and they become careless.

A rising tide lifts all boats

O God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small