Leeshore

A shoreline that lies downwind of a vessel, posing a potential hazard as the wind pushes the vessel towards it.

A leeshore is a concept in maritime navigation, referring to a stretch of coast or land that is located in the direction towards which the wind is blowing. When a vessel is near a leeshore, the wind pushes it towards the shore, which can be dangerous, especially in strong winds or stormy conditions. The term “lee” refers to the side sheltered from the wind, but in the case of a leeshore, the vessel is on the opposite side, where the wind is driving it towards land.

Navigating near a leeshore requires careful attention because the wind can make it difficult for a vessel to manoeuvre away from the shore. If the vessel is unable to sail upwind or lacks sufficient power, it risks being driven aground, which can lead to grounding, damage, or even shipwreck. Mariners must be particularly cautious when approaching a leeshore, especially in adverse weather conditions, as the combination of wind and waves can make it difficult to maintain control of the vessel.

To avoid the dangers of a leeshore, sailors often seek to sail on the windward side of a coastline, where the wind blows away from the shore, giving them more control and space to manoeuvre. In summary, a leeshore is a potentially hazardous situation for vessels, especially in strong winds, as it increases the risk of being pushed towards the shore.