Smesta

A number of personnel of a ship's complement grouped together for operational and administrative command.

A coastal area with no facility for placing deep draft ships alongside a wharf. Secondary water terminals are established on beaches that desirably are adjacent to rail lines and/or good coastal highways. At secondary water terminals, shipping is unloaded at anchorages located from one to five miles offshore, and the cargo and personnel unloaded are landed in the terminal area by ship-to-shore lighters. The scope of operation is so limited that it is not designated as a probable primary nuclear target.

Shipping used to return personnel, stores and equipment from a theatre of operations.