Navigational Terminology: Heaving-to vs. Hoveto

When it comes to describing the stopping of a ship in the ocean, you might encounter the terms heave-to and hove-to. However, many wonder if these mean the same thing or if there's a significant difference. This article aims to clarify when to use each term and why they are used interchangeably.

Understanding the Terminology

Typically, when a boat stops in the ocean, you would simply say it has stopped. The terms heave-to and hove-to are used in specific contexts and refer to different actions. Heaving-to specifically describes the action of making a vessel as comfortable as possible during bad weather. It is an essential maritime technique that allows a ship to remain stationary without drifting or moving with the wind and current.

Hove-to

The term hove-to (also spelled hoist-to) is particularly prevalent in sailing. It describes the act of bringing a vessel's head to the wind, which means steaming into the wind to gain control and reduce speed to a minimum that still allows the rudder to work effectively. Here is a detailed explanation:

Definitions: Heave-to is used for power-driven vessels to make them as prepared as possible during stormy weather. Technique for Sailing Vessels: In sailing, it involves bringing the ship's head to the wind and reducing speed to a point where the rudder can still function. The sails are adjusted, usually by furling the main sails and trimming the staysail, to keep the boat as still as possible while the wind is still able to keep the sails filled only enough to maintain steerage. Power-Driven Vessel Technique: Power-driven vessels achieve similar results by altering the vessel's course and adjusting the engine speed to maintain control while drifting as little as possible.

Heave-to vs. Hove-to

It is worth noting that both terms heave-to and hove-to are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on the context and the speaker's preference. Here are a few examples:

We were hove-to in the Bay of Biscay is easier to say and equally correct as saying We were heaved-to in the Bay of Biscay.

Both terms describe the action of stopping a ship using wind resistance and maintaining a stationary position without significant drift.

Historical and Cultural Context

The use of hove-to can be traced back to traditional maritime practices and the language of sailors. For a deeper understanding, consider the following examples from maritime literature:

We hove our ship to with the wind from souwest, boys.
— From the second verse of the old forebitter Spanish Ladies.

Here, the term hove-to is used to describe the action of stopping the ship to take soundings. In both this and the previous example, the phrase hove-to is employed to convey the specific maritime maneuver of stopping a vessel.

Practical Application

When considering when to use these terms in practice:

Hove-to for Docking: If a ship stops at a dock, you would say it hove to. Hove-to for Ocean Stopping: If a ship stops in the ocean due to a breakdown, it would likely refer to the vessel as being hove-to until it can be repaired or assistance is dispatched.

For example, if you encounter a ship in open sea that has stopped due to mechanical failure, it would be accurate to describe the vessel as hove-to in the context of its current immobilization.

It's important to note that even if the term seems less common, its usage can still be valid and accepted in maritime contexts, especially among seasoned sailors and navigators.

Conclusion

While heave-to and hove-to are two terms that refer to a similar action, they are used in different maritime contexts, and their usage can sometimes depend on personal preference or the specific language of the maritime region. Whether you opt for the traditional hove-to or the more modern heave-to, it is clear that both terms serve to describe a critical maneuver in maritime navigation.