Why were sailors afraid to sail too far away from land?

Answer 1

Sailors were afraid to sail too far from land due to the fear of getting lost in uncharted waters, where navigation could become difficult or impossible. Additionally, the threat of storms and rough seas posed significant dangers, as they lacked modern safety equipment and communication methods. The uncertainty of supplies, including food and fresh water, also contributed to their apprehension, as being far from a port made it challenging to replenish essential resources. These factors combined created a strong aversion to venturing too far from the safety of the shoreline.