The effect of tidal waves on land have been documented and even recently observed, and are less of a mystery than the effect on those in boats out to sea. It's well known that tidal waves rise up as they approach shore, due to the increasing shallowness of the seabed. The water simply has no where else to go. So it would be assumed that boats could ride out the tidal waves, which ordinarily are simply a larger wave out at sea. However, the drama going on within the oceans during a pole shift is different from normal storms. Cross currents develop due to the movement of water first toward the poles, then back, or sloshing to and fro. Cross currents create giant whirlpools, tales of yore which are taken to be myths. There is no escape, once caught, and boats large and small are pulled into the maw. The tornado of the ocean. Likewise, staying close to shore in a boat, in hopes of riding out the earthquakes, will likely find the boat and passengers lifted and carried inland to be dashed at the tip of a wave against the land. This can be as damaging as any quake on a hut or house.