Heave-to

To lay a sailing vessel into the wind with her Helm a-lee and her sails shortened and trimmed so that she will naturally come up into the wind and then Fall off again, thus making virtually no Headway.

A mechanically powered vessel will Heave-to by bringing her bows up into the sea and using just sufficient propulsion to Hold position.

The practise of heaving-to is to ensure the wind remains on the weather Bow in heavy seas and Hold the Ship in that position - where any vessel will ride most safely and easily in a storm.