Along the Fl. east coast, situational awareness is vital. There are guys fishing in kayaks 2 miles offshore, sea-turtles and the occasional partially submerged (poorly marked) dredge pipe. None of which show up on radar or AIS. IMHO a properly functioning AP (in heading hold) will steer right to whatever obstacle is just over the horizon. ;-)
As mentioned above, in fog or blinding rain you can't beat it.