Ship prefix
National or military prefixes

Ship prefix

Section Title: National or military prefixes
Table Section Text: None

Country	Service	Prefix	Meaning

Argentina	Argentine Navy	ARA	Navy of the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Armada de la República Argentina)

Argentine Coast Guard	GC	Argentine Coast Guard Ship (Spanish: Guardacostas)

Australia	Royal Australian Navy	HMAS	His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship/Submarine/Station

NUSHIP	New Ship/Submarine (Yet to be commissioned)

ADV	Australian Defence Vessel (non-commissioned naval-operated ships)

MSA	Minesweeper Auxiliary

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service	ACV	Australian Customs Vessel

Australian Border Force	ABFC	Australian Border Force Cutter

Australia (pre-Federation)	Colonial navies of Australia	HMCS	His/Her Majesty's Colonial Ship

HMQS	His/Her Majesty's Queensland Ship (Queensland Maritime Defence Force)

HMVS	His/Her Majesty's Victorian Ship (Victorian Naval Forces)

Austria-Hungary	Austro-Hungarian Navy	SMS	Seiner Majestät Schiff (English: His Majesty's Ship)

Bahamas	Royal Bahamas Defence Force	HMBS	His/Her Majesty's Bahamian Ship

Bangladesh	Bangladesh Coast Guard	CGS	Coast Guard Ship

Bangladesh Navy	BNS	Bangladesh Navy Ship

Barbados	Barbados Defence Force	HMBS	His/Her Majesty's Barbadian Ship

Belgium	Belgian Navy	BNS	Belgium Naval Ship (NATO prefix)

Brunei	Royal Brunei Navy	KDB	Kapal Di-Raja Brunei – Royal Brunei Ship

Burma	Myanmar Navy	UMS	Myanmar Sit Yay Yin – Union of Myanmar Ship

Bulgaria	Bulgarian Navy	–none–

Canada	Royal Canadian Navy, formerly Canadian Forces Maritime Command	HMCS/NCSM	His/Her Majesty's Canadian Ship/Navire canadien de Sa Majesté (French)

CFAV/NAFC	Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel/Navire auxiliaire des Forces canadiennes (French)

Canadian Coast Guard	CCGS/NGCC	Canadian Coast Guard Ship/Navire de Garde côtière canadienne (French)

CCGC/CGCC	Canadian Coast Guard Cutter/Cotre de Garde côtière canadienne (French) (no longer used)

Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Department of Transport, and predecessor departments	CGS	Canadian Government Ship (no longer used)

CSS	Canadian Survey Ship (no longer used)

DGS	Dominion Government Ship (no longer used)

Royal Canadian Sea Cadets	SCTS/NECM	Sea Cadet Training Ship/Navire école des cadets de la Marine (French)

China	People's Liberation Army Navy	—	No official prefix; some authors use "CNS" (Chinese Navy Ship) or "PLANS" (People's Liberation Army Navy Ship)

Colombia	Armada Nacional	ARC	Armada de la República de Colombia

Confederate States	Confederate States Navy	CSS	Confederate States Ship

Cook Islands	Cook Islands Police	CIPPB	Cook Islands Police Patrol Boat

Denmark	Royal Danish Navy	HDMS (Danish: KDM)	His/Her Danish Majesty's Ship (Danish: Kongelige Danske Marine)

Ecuador	Armada Ecuatoriana	BAE	Buque de la Armada de Ecuador

Estonia	Estonian Navy	ENS (Estonian: EML)	Estonian Naval Ship (NATO designation)

Estonian Coast Guard	ECGS	Estonian Coast Guard Ship (NATO designation)

Fiji	Republic of Fiji Navy	RFNS	Republic of Fiji Naval Ship

Finland	Finnish Navy	FNS	Finnish Navy Ship. Prefixes are not used in Finnish-language communications.

France	French Navy	OF	Okręt Francuski (Polish French Ship); used in 1940–41 for French destroyer Ouragan

FS	French Ship (NATO designation); France does not use prefixes internally

German Empire	Kaiserliche Marine	SM U##	Seiner Majestät Unterseeboot (English: His Majesty's Submarine)

SMS	Seiner Majestät Schiff (English: His Majesty's Ship)

Nazi Germany	Kriegsmarine	—	No official prefix at the time; "DKM" ("Deutsche Kriegsmarine") or "KMS" ("Kriegsmarine Schiffe") are used in some post war literature.

West Germany	Bundesmarine	FGS	Federal German Ship (NATO designation; West Germany did not use prefixes internally)

Germany (reunited)	German Navy	FGS	Federal German Ship (NATO designation, German ships do not use prefixes internally)

Kingdom of Greece	Royal Hellenic Navy	ΒΠ (VP)	Βασιλικόν Πλοίον (Vassilikón Ploíon), "Royal Ship"; RHS (Royal Hellenic Ship) or HHMS (His Hellenic Majesty's Ship) in use by English-language authors and contemporary foreign navies.

Greece	Hellenic Navy	HS	Hellenic Ship: NATO designation, used in international communications; internally the Hellenic Navy uses prefixes indicating ship type.

Guyana	Guyanese Coast Guard	GDFS	Guyanese Defence Forces Ship

Kingdom of Hawaii	Hawaiian Navy	HHMS	His Hawaiian Majesty's Ship; the only one being Kaimiloa

Iceland	Icelandic Coast Guard	ICGV (Icelandic: VS)	Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel, (Icelandic:Varðskip)

India	Indian Navy (pre-Republic)	HMIS	His/Her Majesty's Indian Ship

India	Indian Coast Guard	ICGS	Indian Coast Guard Ship

Indian Navy	INS	Indian Naval Ship

Indonesia	Indonesian Navy	KRI	Kapal Republik Indonesia (Republic of Indonesia Ship)

Republic of Indonesia	KL	Kapal Layar (Sailing Ship)

Republic of Indonesia	KM	Kapal Motor (Motor Ship)

Republic of Indonesia	KN	Kapal Negara (State Ship)

Iran Iran	Imperial Iranian Navy	IIS	Imperial Iranian Ship (Persian: ناو شاهنشاهی ایران)

Iran	Islamic Republic of Iran Navy	IRIS	Islamic Republic of Iran ship (Persian: ناو جمهوری اسلامی ایران)

Ireland	Irish Naval Service	LÉ	Long Éireannach – Irish ship

Israel	Israeli Sea Corps	INS	Israeli Naval Ship (Internally Hebrew acronym אח"י (A.Ch.Y.) is used standing for אניית חיל הים (Oniyat Heyl HaYam – Sea Corps Ship)

Kingdom of Italy (until 1946)	Regia Marina	RN	Regia Nave – Royal Ship

Regia Marina	R.Smg.	Regio Sommergibile – Royal Submarine

Italy	Marina Militare	ITS	Italian Ship (NATO designation); Italy no longer uses prefixes

Jamaica	Jamaica Defence Force	HMJS	His/Her Majesty's Jamaican Ship

Empire of Japan	Imperial Japanese Navy	—	(no prefix; some authors use "HIJMS" for "His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Ship" and "IJN" for "Imperial Japanese Navy")

Japan	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force	JDS or JS	Japanese Defense Ship or Japanese Ship

Kenya	Kenyan Navy	KNS	Kenyan Naval Ship

Kiribati	Kiribati Police Force	RKS	Republic of Kiribati Ship

North Korea	Korean People's Navy	—	(currently unknown)

Kuwait	Kuwait Naval Force	KNS	Kuwait Navy Ship

South Korea	Republic of Korea Navy	ROKS	Republic of Korea Ship

Latvia	Latvian Navy	LVNS	Latvian Naval Ship (NATO designation)

Lithuania	Lithuanian Navy	LKL LNS	Lietuvos Karinis Laivas – Lithuanian Military Ship Lithuanian Ship (NATO designation)

Malaysia	Royal Malaysian Navy	KD	Kapal Di-Raja – His Majesty's Ship, literal: Royal Ship.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency	KM	Kapal Maritim – Maritime Ship

Marshall Islands	Marshall Islands Police	RMIS	Republic of the Marshall Islands Ship

Federated States of Micronesia	FSM National Police	FSM	Federated States of Micronesia

Mexico	Armada de México	ARM	Armada de la República Mexicana

Myanmar	Tatmadaw Yay	UMS	Myanma Sit Yay Yin – Union of Myanmar Ship

Namibia	Namibian Navy	NS	Namibian Ship

Netherlands	Royal Netherlands Navy	HNLMS (Dutch: Zr.Ms./Hr.Ms.)	His/Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship (Dutch: Zijner/Harer Majesteits, archaic Dutch language genitive, lit. "His/Her Majesty's")

New Zealand	Royal New Zealand Navy	HMNZS	His/Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship

Nigeria	Nigerian Navy	NNS	Nigerian Naval Ship

Norway	Royal Norwegian Navy	HNoMS (Norwegian: KNM), in use since 1946	His Norwegian Majesty's Ship (Norwegian: Kongelige Norske Marine)

Norwegian Coast Guard	NoCGV (Norwegian: KV)	Norwegian Coast Guard Vessel (Norwegian: Kystvakten)

Oman	Royal Navy of Oman	SNV	Sultanate Naval Vessel

Pakistan	Pakistan Navy	PNS	Pakistan Naval Ship

Palau	Palau Police	PSS	Palau State Ship

Papua New Guinea	Papua New Guinea Defence Force	HMPNGS	His/Her Majesty's Papua New Guinea Ship

Peru	Peruvian Navy	BAP	Peruvian Navy Ship (Spanish: Buque Armada Peruana)

BIC	Scientific Research Ship (Spanish: Buque de Investigación Científica)

Philippines	Philippine Navy	BRP	Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas; in use since 1 July 1980 (Ship of the Republic of the Philippines)

RPS	Republic of the Philippines Ship (Obsolete); before 1 July 1980

Poland	Polish Navy	ORP	Okręt Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Warship of the Republic of Poland)

Portugal	Marinha Portuguesa	NRP	Navio da República Portuguesa – Ship of the Portuguese Republic

PNS	Portuguese Navy Ship (NATO designation, not used internally)

UAM	Unidade Auxiliar da Marinha – Navy Auxiliary Unit (used by the Portuguese Navy non-military ships)

Romania	Romanian Navy	NMS	Nava Majestăţii Sale (His/Her Majesty's Ship) – used before 1945 by the Royal Romanian Navy

SMR	Serviciul Maritim Român (The Romanian Sea Service) – used by transport ships

ROS	Romanian Ship (NATO designation, not used internally)

Russian Empire	Imperial Russian Navy	HIRMS	(no prefix; some authors use "HIRMS" for "His Imperial Russian Majesty's Ship")

Russia	Russian Navy	—	No official prefix; some authors use "RFS" (Russian: Корабль Российской Федерации)

Saudi Arabia	Saudi Navy	HMS	His Majesty's Ship – the same as the Royal Navy

Singapore	Republic of Singapore Navy	RSS	Republic of Singapore Ship

Solomon Islands	Royal Solomon Islands Police	RSIPV	Royal Solomon Islands Police Vessel

South Africa	South African Navy	SAS	South African Ship (previously HMSAS – His/Her Majesty's South African Ship)

SATS	South African Training Ship

Soviet Union	Soviet Navy	—	No official prefix; some authors use "USSRS" (Russian: Корабль Союза Советских Социалистических Республик)

Spain	Armada Española	ESPS	Spanish Navy Ship (Spain does not use prefixes internally. ESPN or SPS are no longer used)

Sri Lanka	Sri Lankan Navy	SLNS	Sri Lanka Naval Ship

Sweden	Swedish Navy	HMS (English: HSwMS)	Hans/Hennes Majestäts Skepp (His/Her Majesty's Ship) – in English HSwMS (His/Her Swedish Majesty's Ship) is used to avoid confusion with Royal Navy ships

Republic of China	Republic of China Navy	ROCS (older usage: CNS)	Republic of China Ship (older usage: Chinese Navy Ship)

Thailand	Royal Thai Navy	HTMS	His Thai Majesty's Ship

Timor-Leste	Timor Leste Defense Force	NRTL	Navio da República de Timor Leste (Ship of the Timor Leste Republic)

Tonga	Tonga Defence Services	VOEA	Vaka O Ene Afio (His Majesty's Vessel)

Turkey	Turkish Navy	TCG	Ship of the Turkish Republic (Turkish: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Gemisi.)

Tuvalu	Tuvalu Police Force	HMTSS	His/Her Majesty's Tuvaluan State Ship

Trinidad and Tobago	Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force	TTS	Trinidad and Tobago Ship

United Kingdom	Ships carrying mail	RMS	Royal Mail Steamer/Ship

Cable ship	HMTV	His/Her Majesty's Telegraph Vessel

Fishery protection vessels	FPV	Fisheries Protection Vessel

Royal Air Force	HMAFV	His/Her Majesty's Air Force Vessel (not currently in use)

Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships	RFA	Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service ships	RMAS	Royal Maritime Auxiliary Ship (now obsolete)

Royal Naval Auxiliary Service	XSV	Auxiliary Service Vessel (now obsolete)

Royal Navy	HM Sloop	His/Her Majesty's Sloop (now obsolete)

HMS	His/Her Majesty's Ship/Submarine

HMSm	His/Her Majesty's Submarine (not currently in use)

HMT	Hired Military Transport (not currently in use)

HMAV	His/Her Majesty's Armed Vessel (not currently in use)

HMY	His/Her Majesty's Yacht (not currently in use)

HMMGB	His/Her Majesty's Motor Gun Boat (not currently in use)

HMM	His/Her Majesty's Monitor (not currently in use)

HMSML	His/Her Majesty's Small Motor Launch

HBMS	His/Her Britannic Majesty's Ship (archaic)

HM	His/Her Majesty's, then used with the type of ship in military use (e.g. "HM Trawler" or "HM Rescue Tug")

Hospital Ships	HMHS	His/Her Majesty's Hospital Ship

Joint Services Sail Training Yachts (JSASTC)	HMSTC	His/Her Majesty's Sail Training Craft

Trinity House	THV	Trinity House Vessel (Lighthouse and Buoy Tender)

Northern Lighthouse Board	NLV	Northern Lighthouse Vessel (Lighthouse tender)

Commissioners of Irish Lights	ILV	Irish Lights Vessel (Lighthouse tender)

British Army	HMAV	Her Majesty's Army Vessel

RCLV	Royal Corps of Logistics Vessel (not currently in use)

Government research ships	RRS	Royal Research Ship

HM Revenue and Customs/Border Force	HMCC, HMC	His/Her Majesty's Customs Cutter shortened to His/Her Majesty's Cutter after being transferred to Border Force

HM Customs and Excise (replaced by HMRC, above)	HMRC	His/Her Majesty's Revenue Cutter (not used since 18 April 2005). Also His/Her Majesty's Revenue Cruiser (as per HMRC Vigilant 1947.

United States	United States Air Force	USAF, USAFS	United States Air Force ship (not currently in use)

United States Army (modern)	USAS	United States Army Ship (modern)

USAV	United States Army Vessel (modern)

United States Army (historical)

USAT	United States Army Transport (large troop or cargo transports, not currently in use)

USAMP	U.S. Army Mine Planter (not currently in use)

USAJMP	U.S. Army Junior Mine Planter (not currently in use)

U.S. Army	Vessels not otherwise designated: tugs, FS, Q, P etc. (not currently in use)

USAHS	United States Army Hospital Ship (not currently in use)

United States Navy	USF	United States Frigate (obsolete)

USFS	United States Flagship (obsolete)

USS	United States Ship – Commissioned ships only.

USNV	United States Naval Vessel (Small utility vessels, not MSC, operated by local commands)

U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC)	USNS	United States Naval Ship (USN-owned, civilian crews)

United States Coast Guard	USCGC	United States Coast Guard Cutter

USCGD	United States Coast Guard Destroyer (not currently in use)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration	NOAAS	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship

United States Coast and Geodetic Survey	USC&GS	United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (obsolete); occasionally a second "S" for "survey ship" was used

United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries	USFC	United States Fish Commission (obsolete); commonly used informal name for the Commission; no "S" for "ship" was used

United States Lighthouse Service	USLHT	United States Lighthouse Tender (obsolete)

United States Revenue Cutter Service	USRC	United States Revenue Cutter (obsolete)

Uruguay	Uruguayan Navy	ROU	República Oriental del Uruguay

Vanuatu	Vanuatu Police Force	RVS	Republic of Vanuatu Ship

Venezuela	Venezuelan Navy	FNV	Fuerzas Navales de Venezuela Not in use since 1949

ARV	Armada República de Venezuela Not in use 1999

ARBV	Armada República Bolivariana de Venezuela

Kingdom of Yugoslavia	Royal Yugoslav Navy	KB	Kraljevski brod or Краљевски брод (English: Royal Ship), 1918–1941

Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Serbia and Montenegro	Jugoslovenska Ratna Mornarica JRM (English: Yugoslavia war navy) Yugoslav Navy 1969–1992 Ratna Mornarica Vojske Jugoslavije RМVЈ (English: War navy of Yugoslavia Armed Forces) 1992–2003	RTOP	Raketna Topovnjača or Ракетна Топовњача (English: Rocket gunship), named by Yugoslavia peoples heroes

RČ	Raketni Čamac or Ракетни Чамац (English: Rocket boat), 1969–1992, named by Yugoslavia peoples heroes

VPBR	Veliki Patrolni Brod or Велики Патролни Брод (English: Big patrol ship), 1969–1992, named by Yugoslavia coastal towns

TČ	Torpedni Čamac or Торпедни Чамац (English: Torpedo boat), 1969–1992

PČ	Patrolni Čamac or Патролни Чамац (English: Patrol boat), 1969–1992, named by mountains

PO	Pomoćni Oružar or Помоћни Оружар (English: Auxiliary аrmourer), 1969–1992

RML	Rečni minolovac or Речни миноловац (English: River minesweepers), 1969–1992, named by places of WWII battles

RPB	Rečni patrolni brod or Речни патролни брод (English: River patrol boat), 1969–1992

P	Podmornica or Подморница (English: Submarine), 1969–1992, named by rivers or human qualities

RЕ	Razarač Eskortni or Разарач Ескортни (English: Escort destroyer), 1969–1992

PT	Pomoćni transportni or Помоћни транспортни (English: Auxiliary transport), 1969–1992

DČ	Desantni čamci or Десантни чамци (English: Landing craft), 1969–1992

Sentence(s)

USCGC was the United States Coast Guard.

final_sentence: USCGC was the United States Coast Guard.