Starting from vorticity equation, the triggering mechanism and amplitude decay of shear waves in the ocean are discussed in this paper. The theoretical analysis indicates that by the action of stripped external force (for examples, the sudden setting of stripped wind, moving stripped wind, etc.), shear waves can be triggered. This is qualitatively consistent with satellite observations. The amplitude decay process of shear waves by the action of side friction is also discussed in the paper. The theoretical model is quantitatively consistent with satellite observations.