When a ship is maneuvering in/near extremely shallow waters such as near a shoal she is likely to take a sudden sheer (sheer means quickly changing of course), first towards the shoal/shallow patch and then violently away. This is called smelling the ground.

When a ship is maneuvering in/near extremely shallow waters such as near a shoal she is likely to take a sudden sheer (sheer means quickly changing of course), first towards the shoal/shallow patch and then violently away. This is called smelling the ground.