Given the easterly direction of their travel across the Arabian Peninsula, they had reached its eastern shore. Therefore, to “put forth,” Lehi’s party left the Old World heading east.
The Astons note:
There is no data to indicate that the winds and currents vary appreciably at various parts of the coast of Arabia. Departing from any of the candidate areas should allow travel east across the Indian Ocean utilizing the various monsoon winds. In fact, our word monsoon derives from the Arabic mawsim, meaning “the date for sailing from one port in order to reach another.” Mariners have used these winds from the coast of Oman for many thousands of years, making Oman a major center for sea trade extending as far east as China, as well as to the east coast of Africa and Egypt.