Lee Shore
F5. The Reference Layer: Glossary, Units, Signals and Information SourcesDefinition
Shore onto which the wind is blowing; hazardous in heavy weather.
A lee shore is a stretch of coast onto which the wind is blowing, so a vessel near it is being pushed toward the land; it is a serious hazard in heavy weather because losing power or anchor means grounding on the beach. The name describes the shore that lies to leeward of the ship: the wind carries the ship onto it. The safe response is to claw off to windward, keep sea room, and avoid embaying. It is the opposite of a weather shore, which gives a lee and shelter.
Source: Standard seamanship terminology; Bowditch, The American Practical Navigator (NGA Pub. No. 9), glossary.