SHELLBACK—A person who has crossed the equator. SHIFT—(1) The act of the wind in changing direction. (2) The act of moving a rudder with angle on it to the same angle on the opposite side. SHIFT COLORS—To change the arrangement of the colors on getting under way or coming to moorings. SHIP—(1) Any large vessel capable of extended independent operation. (2) To take on water unintentionally. SHIPOVER—To reenlist in the Navy. SHIPSHAPE—Neat, clean, taut, in fine shape. SHOAL—Similar to a reef, but more gradual in its rise from the floor of the ocean. SHORE—(1) The land in general, but usually refers to that part adjacent to the water. (2) A timber used in damage control to brace bulkheads and decks. SHROUD—A line or wire that provides athwartship support for a mast. SICK BAY—Shipboard space used as a hospital. SIDE BOY—One of a group of seamen who form two ranks at the gangway as part of the ceremonies conducted for visiting officials. SIDE LIGHT—One of the required running lights. The starboard side light is green and the port side light is red. SIDE PORT—A watertight opening in a ship’s side that is used as a doorway. SIGHT—(1) To see for the first time, as to sight a ship on the horizon. (2) A celestial observation. SKYLARK—To engage in irresponsible horseplay. SLACK—(1) To allow a line to run out. (2) A  slack ship is one that has little or no discipline. SLIP—(1)  To  free  a  ship  of  its  anchor  by disconnecting the cable or by allowing its bitter end to run out. (2) A narrow space between two piers, or the space between two rows of piles that guide a ferryboat into its berth. SMALL CRAFT—Any less-than-ship-sized vessel. SMALL STORES—Personal needs for Sailors, such as articles of clothing. SMART—Snappy, seamanlike, shipshape. SNAKING—Netting stretched between the gunwales and footrope (see LIFELINE) to prevent objects from going over the side. SNUB—The act of suddenly checking a line that is running out under a strain. SOPA—Abbreviation for senior officer present afloat. SOUND—(1) To determine the depth of water. (2) The act of a whale or similar creature in diving deep. (3) A body of water between the mainland and a large coastal island. SPANNER—A wrench used for tightening couplings on a fire hose. SPAR—A along cylindrical member of wood or metal, tapered at the ends; usually attached to a mast for use as a boom or for the attachment of equipment such as signal halyards. See BOAT BOOM; YARDARM. SPAR BUOY—A buoy shaped like a spar. Usually indicates special areas, such as a quarantine anchorage (yellow) or normal anchorage (white), but may be used to indicate a channel (painted red or green, as appropriate). SPECIAL SEA DETAIL—Personnel aboard ship assigned special duties connected with leaving and entering port. SPLICE—The act of intertwining strands of lines or wires to join them together or to make an eye; the joint so made. SPRING—A mooring line that leads forward (or aft) at an angle from ship to pier. Its purpose is to check the fore-and-aft movement of the ship. SPRING LAY—Wire rope in which each strand consists partly of wire and partly of tarred hemp or similar fiber. SQUADRON—Two or more divisions of ships or aircraft. SQUARE AWAY—Put in proper order; make things shipshape. SQUARE KNOT—Simple knot used for bending two lines together or for bending a line to itself. STACK—Shipboard chimney. STANCHIONS—Vertical posts used for supporting decks; smaller, similar posts used for supporting lifelines, awnings, and so forth. STAND BY—To “prepare for” or “make ready to.” AI-11