I can indeed answer Ms. Gaudreau's question.
Having sailed as a master on these vessels myself, I can tell you that the master and his crew plan the voyages before they set sail. They consider the weather and the route from point A to point B as well as all other relevant points, including proximity to a coastline. The proximity of the Pacific coast, in this case, was considered by the captain and his officers. Precautions are taken based on the shipping routes that will be followed. In extreme conditions, they ask to return, for example, to what is called a safe haven, to be sheltered from bad weather, such as the weather on the west coast at the time of the incident.
Those are certainly factors that are taken into consideration.