The heavenly voice had earlier mentioned this very phrase in relation to kings (Revelation 18:10) and merchants (Revelation 18:15). As before, the sailors observed the burning of Babylon (we could picture the ship approaching the harbour only to see billowing smoke ahead) from a distance. They maintain the distance so as to escape burning themselves.
17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.”And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off