Use 'landward' to describe motion from water towards the land, often suggesting safety or return. As the storm approached, the sailors navigated landward.
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Nautical Usage
'Landward' is frequently used in nautical contexts to describe direction relative to the coastline. The helmsman steered the vessel landward to avoid the reefs.
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Contrasted with Seaward
Often contrasted with 'seaward' when discussing movements of tides or marine life. The turtles swam landward, opposite the seaward current.