Ship prefixes generally refer to an abbreviation inscribed before the name of a ship, whether naval or merchant ship and consist of several letters combined to indicate a specific hms meaning. A prefix can also refer to several letters used to indicate a particular fact. The ship prefix used in merchant ship primarily refers to the ship’s propulsion technology. For example, the abbreviation “S.S.” means “steamboat” and indicates that the merchant ship is powered by steam.
Ship prefixes can also include the type of merchant ship, such as “R.V.,” which means “research vessel,” reinforcing the purpose of the ship, in this case, to acquire knowledge systematically and scientifically. Merchant navy prefixes are commonly used, but styles may vary. For example, you can insert slashes in between like this: “M.S.” Use of Abbreviations in merchant ships On the other hand, naval ship prefixes are often used to conveniently shorten long titles to an easily accessible short form. ‘His Majesty’s Ship’ is an example of a long title used in the Royal Navy, so names such as H.M.S. (or H.M.S.) are common.
Merchant ship
The ship prefix in merchant ship also indicates the type of ship. “U.S.F.” (United States Frigate) refers to a frigate used by the United States Department of the Navy. Currently, there is only one dedicated ship name representing all warships of a particular country’s Navy. Auxiliary and allied ships can have different names, such as “Coast Guard.” There is no hard and fast rule that all ships must have names. The Imperial Japanese Navy and the German Navy of the Third Reich are good examples. Therefore, the process of naming ships is not normally carried out.
English authors recommend ship prefixes such as “I.J.N.” for the “Imperial Japanese Navy” fleet, “HIJMS” for “His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Ship,” and “DKM” for “Ships of the German Navy.” Means. Interestingly, these names arise from logical consistency and correspondence with abbreviations such as “H.M.S.” and “U.S.S.” Most authors follow basic standards set by the Navy and omit the ship prefix.
Alternate Identification Codes
Since the early 20th century, most crew supervisor on a merchant ship have tended to recognize ships by specific hull numbers. These hull numbers are a type of identification code that is attached to the ship’s wall. The use of hull numbers for identification purposes varies by Navy. For example, the U.S. Navy prefers to use hull classification symbols. At the same time, the Royal Navy in Europe and several other European countries have chosen a pennant numbering system.
Merchant Ship Nomenclature
In 1939, the British Maritime Administration introduced a standard nomenclature, requiring all merchant ships built in Britain by government order to have the prefix ‘Imperial’ added to their names. This was considered compulsory except for small merchant vessels. This new naming system applies to ships purchased or acquired through authoritative request or request, old ships from the United States, modern leased ships, ships won as prizes, salvaged and equipped ships, and captured enemy ships.
List of Ship Prefixes
Many ship prefixes are currently used by navies and merchant ships around the world. Crew supervisor on a merchant ship most commonly use the ones are:
- M.T. – Motor Tanker
- MV/MS – Motor Vessel/Motor Vessel
- LB – Lifeboat
- NS – Nuclear Vessel
- RV – Research Vessel
- LPG/C – Liquefied Natural Gas Tanker
- LNG/C – liquefied natural gas tanker
- N.S. -atomic ship
- P.S.V. – Platform Support Ship
- MY -Motor Yacht
- Aht – Anchor Get Boat
- CS-Cable Fail
- D.S.V. -Diving Support Ship /Deep Submersible Vessel
- FV – Fishing Vessel
- G.T.S. – Gas Turbine Ship
- R.M.S. – Royal Mail Ship
- S.S. – Steamship
- P.S.V. – Platform Support Vessel
- TS – Training Ship
- S.V. – Sailing Ship
Naval Nomenclature In Other Countries
The Royal Navy of the Netherlands uses English prefixes such as “HLNMS,” but the original Dutch prefix is ”Mr. Mrs” (or “Zr. Mrs.”). The English name was derived from the Dutch translation, as the Dutch name is not available on broader platforms or in English documentation. Regulations state that ships of the Royal Dutch Navy do not adopt ship names unless they are in active service. The ship name “NUSHIP” is used in Australia to classify non commissioned ships within the fleet. In 1901, then-U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt passed a new law that changed the nation’s naval language policy.
As a result, many ship prefixes are no longer in use, with the exception of “USRC,” “U.S.S.,” “USNV,” “USNS,” etc. Later, even “USRC” was declared obsolete and replaced by “USCGC”. This happened in 1915 year when the Bureau of Revenue Collections became the United States Coast Guard. Decommissioned ships of the United States do not yet have the rights to use the U.S.S. and use the designation “P.C.U.,” meaning “pre-commissioned unit.”
Flattops
This means that new aircraft carriers called Flattops under construction in U.S. shipyards will continue to be called P.C.U. Flattops until they receive a contract. The prefix “U.S.S.” is only assigned when a ship begins operations in the maritime domain. Under strict laws, the U.S. Navy is not allowed to purchase foreign ships, but they can be rented under the U.S. Naval Ship Division. It is well known that the U.S. Navy typically uses ship prefixes without including them in articles.
However, in honor of the famous Sullivan brothers who lost their lives in World War II, an article called”The” was placed on the ship “U.S.S. The Sullivans.” This is an exceptional case in American sea fate name law. The ship’s corresponding British name (‘H.M.S. Flattop’), meaning ‘Her Majesty’s Ship,’ is also grammatically incorrect and therefore does not apply.
Ship Prefix for Decommissioned Ships
If a particular ship is declared out of service, the prefix ‘ex-‘ is added to its name. This is done to separate the damaged ship from all other ships with the same name that were in service at the time. For example, the U.S.S. Constellation (CV-64) became known as the “former Constellation” ship after she was decommissioned in 2003. Different countries have different ways of naming their naval and commercial ships using ship prefixes. However, some ship prefixes are the most commonly used and accepted worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is A Ship Prefix?
A ship prefix generally refers to an abbreviation placed before the name of a ship, whether naval or commercial, to indicate a specific meaning. Consists of several compound characters. A prefix can also refer to several letters used to indicate a particular fact.
2. What Do Ship Prefixes Tell Us?
Ship prefixes used in commercial shipping primarily indicate the ship’s propulsion technology. For example, the abbreviation “S.S.” means “steamboat” and indicates that the ship is powered by steam. The ship prefix can also include the ship type. “R.V.” means “research vessel.”
3. What Is The Prefix Given To The Name Of A Decommissioned Ship?
When a particular vessel is declared out of service, the prefix ‘ex-‘ is added to its name. This is done to separate the damaged ship from all other ships with the same name that were in service at the time.
4. What Is The Naval Ship Prefix Used For?
The Naval Ship prefix is often used to conveniently shorten long titles to an easily accessible short form. ‘His Majesty’s Ship’ is an example of a long title used in the Royal Navy, so names such as H.M.S. (or H.M.S.) are common.
5. Do All Ships Need A Prefix?
There is no hard and fast rule that all ships have to have a name. The Imperial Japanese Navy and the German Navy of the Third Reich are good examples. Therefore, the process of naming ships is not normally carried out.
