National or Military Prefixes
| Country | Service | Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Argentine Navy | ARA | Navy of the Argentine Republic (Spanish: Armada de la Republica Argentina) |
| Argentinian Coast Guard | GC | Argentinian Coast Guard Ship (Spanish: Guardacostas) | |
| Australia | Royal Australian Navy | HMAS | His/Her Majesty's Australian Ship |
| Australia (Victoria) | Royal Navy | HMVS | His/Her Majesty's Victorian Ship (obsolete) |
| 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 Navy | BNS | Bangladesh Naval 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 | Burmese Navy | UBS | Bamar Sit Yay Yin — Union of Burma Ship |
| Canada | Royal Canadian Navy | 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) | |
| Colombia | Armada Nacional | ARC | Armada de la Republica de Colombia |
| Confederate States of America | Confederate States Navy | CSS | Confederate States Ship (obsolete) |
| 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 | 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 prefix; some authors use "DKM" for "Deutsche Kriegsmarine" and "KMS" for "Kriegsmarine Schiffe") |
| West Germany | Bundesmarine | FGS | Federal German Ship (NATO designation); West Germany did not use prefixes internally |
| Germany (reunited) | Deutsche Marine | FGS | Federal German Ship (NATO designation); Germany does 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 Ships; the only one being the 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Marshall Islands | Marshall Islands Police | RMIS | Republic of the Marshall Islands Ship |
| Federated States of Micronesia | FSM National Police | FSS | Federated States Ship |
| Mexico | Armada de México | ARM | Armada de la República Mexicana |
| Myanmar | Tatmadaw Yay | UMS | Myanma Sit Yay Yin — Union of Myanmar Ship |
| Netherlands | Royal Netherlands Navy | Hr.Ms./Zr.Ms. (English: HNLMS) | Harer/Zijner Majesteits (English: His/Her Netherlands Majesty's Ship) |
| 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) | 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 | Pakistani Naval Ship |
| Palau | Palau Police | PSS | Palau State Ship |
| Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea Defence Force | HMPNGDFS | His/Her Majesty's Papua New Guinea Defence Force 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 | Ship of the Republic of Poland (Polish: Okręt Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) |
| 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) | ||
| Russia | Russian Navy | RFS | Russian Federation Ship; Russia does not use prefixes internally |
| 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 | ||
| Spain | Armada Española | ESPS | Spanish Naval Ship (Spain does not use prefixes internally) |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lankan Navy | SLNS | Sri Lanka Naval Ship |
| Sweden | Swedish Navy | HMS/HSwMS | Hans/Hennes Majestäts Skepp — the same as the Royal Navy but in Swedish |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Service (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 | ||
| 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") | ||
| Hospital ships | HMHS | His/Her Majesty's Hospital Ship | |
| Joint Services | 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) | |
| 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 | HMCC, HMC | His/Her Majesty's Customs Cutter shortened to His/Her Majesty's Cutter after being transferred to the UK Border Agency | |
| HM Customs and Excise (replaced by HMRC, above) | HMRC | His/Her Majesty's Revenue Cutter (not used since 18 April 2005) | |
| United States | U.S. Air Force | USAF, USAFS | United States Air Force ship (not currently in use) |
| U.S. Army (modern) | USAS | United States Army Ship (modern) | |
| USAV | United States Army Vessel (modern) | ||
| U.S. 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) | ||
| 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) | ||
| U.S. Navy | USF | United States Frigate (obsolete) | |
| USFS | United States Flagship (obsolete) | ||
| PCU | Pre-Commissioning Unit, used for ships of the United States Navy that have not been commissioned into service yet | ||
| USS | United States Ship | ||
| U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command | USNS | United States Naval Ship (USN owned, civilian crews) | |
| USNV | United States Naval Vessel (foreign-built, USN-leased, USN crews) | ||
| United States Coast Guard | USCGC | United States Coast Guard Cutter | |
| USCGD | United States Coast Guard Destroyer (not currently in use) | ||
| United States Lighthouse Service | USLHT | United States Lighthouse Tender (obsolete) | |
| United States Revenue Cutter Service | USRC | United States Revenue Cutter (obsolete) | |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAAS | NOAA Research Vessel | |
| Uruguay | Uruguayan Navy | ROU | Republica 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 Republica de Venezuela Not in use 1999 | ||
| ARBV | Armada Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela |
Read more about this topic: Ship Prefix
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