As indicated by his name 'Shihotsuchi,' which means 'shiotsutama (soul of tides)' and/or 'shiotsuji (route of tides),' he is a deity presiding over the tides, namely a deity of navigation.
名前の「シホツチ」は「潮つ霊」「潮つ路」であり、潮流を司る神、航海の神である。