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Naval Classifications
- What is the difference between a boat, a ship and a vessel?
- In what manner is the "messenger line" conveyed from aboard ship to the dock when comparing PT boat to Aircraft Carrier? - What are the exact classifications which distinguish one type of vessel (e.g. cruiser) from another type (e.g. Battleship)... leave off with subs, even a Zoomie knows what those are :-)? |
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#2
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Re: Naval Classifications
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A ship is what the other guys sail, "There's a Russian Ship!" A vessel is what I pop when I try to explain this to sand crabs or other land locked critters. A PT boat may be small and close enough to a pier to toss a messenger to the pier. Carriers don't get that close to the pier and thus the messenger is fired to the pier from a shotgun. Ship Classifications: CURRENT US NAVY SHIP CLASSIFICATIONS Designations currently in use or officially in effect are listed here, all others are no longer in use. The letter "N" when used as the last letter of a ship classification symbol denotes nuclear propulsion. If you do not find the classification symbol you are looking for here it may be in the US Navy Inactive Classification Symbol file. COMBATANT SHIP CATEGORY Warship classification Aircraft Carrier Type All ships designed primarily for the purpose of conducting combat operations by aircraft which engage in attacks against airborne, surface, sub-surface and shore targets. Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) Aircraft Carriers Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier CV Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier CVN (Nuclear-Propulsion) Surface Combatant Type Large, heavily armed, surface ships which are designed primarily to engage enemy forces on the high seas. Battleships Battleship BB Cruisers Gun Cruiser CA Guided Missile Cruiser CG Guided Missile Cruiser CGN (Nuclear-Propulsion) Destroyers Destroyers DD Guided Missile Destroyer DDG Frigates Frigate FF Guided Missile Frigate FFG Radar Picket Frigate FFR Frigate (Reserve Training) FFT Submarine Type All self-propelled submersible types regardless of whether employed as combatant, auxiliary, or research and development vehicles which have at least a residual combat capability. Attack Submarines Submarine SS Submarine SSN (Nuclear-Powered) Ballistic Missile Submarines Ballistic Missile Submarine SSBN (Nuclear-Powered) Other Combatant Classification Patrol Combatant Type Combatants whose mission may extend beyond coastal duties and whose characteristics include adequate endurance and sea keeping providing a capability for operations exceeding 48 hours on the high seas without support. Patrol Ships Patrol Combatant PG Amphibious Warfare Type Ships All ships having organic capability for amphibious assault and which have characteristics enabling long duration operations on the high seas. Amphibious Helicopter/Landing Craft Carriers Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) LHA Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose) LHD Amphibious Transport Dock LPD Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter) LPH Landing Craft Carriers Amphibious Cargo Ship LKA Dock Landing Ship LSD Medium Landing Ship LSM Tank Landing Ship LST Miscellaneous Amphibious Command Ship LCC Combat Logistics Type Ships Ships which have the capability to provide underway replenishment to fleet units. Underway Replenishment Ammunition Ship AE Combat Store Ship AFS Oiler AO Fast Combat Support Ship AOE Replenishment Oiler AOR Mine Warfare Type Ships All ships whose primary function is mine warfare on the high seas. Minesweepers Minesweeper - Ocean MSO Mine Countermeasures Ships Mine Countermeasures Ship MCM Mine Countermeasures Support Ship MCS Minehunter, Coastal MHC Coastal Defense Ships All ships whose primary function is coastal patrol and interdiction. Special Warfare Patrol, Coastal PC Auxiliary classification Mobile Logistics Type Ships Ships which have the capability to provide direct material support to other deployed units operating far from home base. Material Support Destroyer Tender AD Repair Ship AR Submarine Tender AS Support Type Ships A grouping of ships designed to operate in the open ocean in a variety of sea states to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore based establishments. (Includes smaller auxiliaries which by the nature of their duties, leave inshore waters). Fleet Support Salvage Ship ARS Submarine Rescue Ship ASR Auxiliary Ocean Tug ATA Fleet Ocean Tug ATF Salvage and Rescue Ship ATS Other Auxiliaries Auxiliary Crane Ship ACS Auxiliary General AG Deep Submergence Support Ship AGDS Environmental Research Ship AGER Miscellaneous Command Ship AGF Missile Range Instrumentation Ship AGM Oceanographic Research Ship AGOR Ocean Surveillance Ship AGOS Surveying Ship AGS Auxiliary Research Submarine AGSS Hospital Ship AH Cargo Ship AK Vehicle Cargo Ship AKR Gasoline Tanker AOG Transport Oiler AOT Transport AP High Speed Transport APD Cable Repair Ship ARC Aviation Logistics Support Ship AVB Auxiliary Aircraft Landing Training Ship AVT US NAVY SERVICE CRAFT CLASSIFICATIONS Designations currently in use or officially in effect are listed here, all others are no longer in use. The letter "N" when used as the last letter of a service craft classification symbol indicates a non-self-propelled (n-s-p) version of a similar self-propelled (s-p) service craft. If you do not find the classification symbol you are looking for here it may be in the US Navy Inactive Classification Symbol file. SUPPORT CRAFT CATEGORY Support Craft Classification Service Type Craft A grouping of navy-subordinated craft (including non-self-propelled) designed to provide general support to either combatant forces or shore-based establishments. Dry Docks (Non-self-propelled) Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock AFDB Small Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock AFDL Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock AFDM Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock ARD Medium Auxiliary Repair Dry Dock ARDM Yard Floating Dry Dock YFD Tugs (Self-propelled) Large Harbor Tug YTB Small Harbor Tug YTL Medium Harbor Tug YTM Tankers (Self-propelled) Fuel Oil Barge YO Gasoline Barge YOG Water Barge YW Lighters and Barges Self-propelled Covered Lighter YF Refrigerated Cover Lighter YFR Harbor Utility Craft YFU Garbage Lighter YG Non-self-propelled Open Lighter YC Car Float YCF Aircraft Transportation Lighter YCV Covered Lighter YFN Large Covered Lighter YFNB Lighter (Special purpose) YFNX Refrigerated Covered Lighter YFRN Range Tender YFRT Garbage Lighter YGN Gasoline Barge YOGN Fuel Oil Barge YON Oil Storage Barge YOS Sludge Removal Barge YSR Water Barge YWN Other Craft Self-propelled Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle DSRV Deep Submergence Vehicle DSV Submersible Research Vehicle NR Ferry Boat or Launch YFB Dredge YM Patrol Craft, Training YP Seaplane Wrecking Derrick YSD Torpedo Trials Craft YTT Non-self-propelled Barracks Craft APL Floating Crane YD Diving Tender YDT Dry Dock Companion Craft YFND Floating Power Barge YFP Salvage Lift Craft YLC Dredge YMN Gate Craft YNG Floating Pile Driver YPD Floating Workshop YR Repair and Berthing Barge YRB Repair, Berthing and Messing Barge YRBM Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Hull) YRDH Floating Dry Dock Workshop (Machine) YRDM Radiological Repair Barge YRR Salvage Craft Tender YRST Unclassified Miscellaneous Unclassified Miscellaneous Unit IX Submersible Craft X USS Constitution Note: The USS Constitution formerly IX 21 was reclassified to none, effective September 1, 1975 as per SECNAVNOTE 5030 dated September 2, 1975. US NAVY INACTIVE CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Description Symbol Crane ship AB Advanced Base Dock ABD Advanced Base Section Dock ABSD Collier AC Auxiliary Mine Layer ACM Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier ACV Degaussing Ship ADG Store Ship AF Auxiliary Floating Dock AFD Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Little (Concrete) AFDL (C) Icebreaker AGB Amphibious Force Flagship AGC Seagoing Dredge AGD Escort Research Ship AGDE Hydrofoil Research Ship AGEH Auxiliary General Frigate AGFF Patrol Combatant Support Ship AGHS Lighthouse Tender AGL Major Communications Relay Ship AGMR Patrol Craft Tender AGP Radar Picket Ship AGR Coastal Surveying Ship AGSC Satellite Launching Ship AGSL Technical Research Ship AGTR Evacuation Hospital Ship AHP Attack Cargo Ship AKA Cargo Dock Ship AKD General Store Ship Issue AKI Light Cargo Ship AKL Net Cargo Ship AKN Stores Issue Ship AKS Cargo Submarine AKSS Cargo Ship and Aircraft Ferry AKV Lightship AL Auxiliary Lighter Ship ALS Minesweeper AM Minesweeper, Harbor AMb Coastal Minesweeper AMc Mine Hunter AMCU Motor Minesweeper AMS Net Laying Ship AN Net Laying Ship ANL Submarine Oiler AOSS Attack Transport APA Self-propelled Barracks Ship APB Small Coastal Transport APC High Speed Transport APD Administrative Flagship APF Support Gunnery Ship APG Transport Fitted for Evacuation of Wounded APH Mechanized - Artillery Transport APM Non - Mechanized - Artillery Transport APN Troop Barge Class A APP Rescue Transport APR Transport Submarine APS Transport Submarine APSS Transport and Aircraft Ferry APV Base Repair Ship ARb Battle Damage Repair Ship ARB Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship ARG Heavy - Hull Repair Ship ARH Repair Ship, Small ARL Heavy - Machinery Repair Ship ARM Salvage Lifting Ship ARSD Salvage Craft Tender ARST Aircraft Repair Ship ARV Aircraft Repair Ship, Aircraft ARVA Aircraft Repair Ship, Engine ARVE Aircraft Repair Ship, Helicopter ARVH Cargo Submarine ASSA Transport Submarine ASSP Ocean Going Tug AT Tank Landing Craft ATL Auxiliary - Ocean Tug, Old ATO Rescue Ocean Tug ATR Auxiliary Training Submarine ATSS Seaplane Tender AV Large Catapult Lighter AVC Seaplane Tender Destroyer AVD Aircraft Escort Vessel AVG Guided Missile Ship AVM Small Seaplane Tender AVP Aircraft Rescue Vessel AVR Aviation Supply Ship AVS Distilling Ship AW Aircraft Rescue Vessel Water Tanker AWK Airship Tender (Lighter than Air) AZ Guided Missile Capitol Ship BBG Monitor BM Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser CAG Large Cruiser CB Large Tactical Command Ship CBC Command Ship CC Flying Deck Cruiser CF Light Cruiser CL Anti - Aircraft Light Cruiser CLAA Tactical Command Ship CLC Guided Missile Light Cruiser CLG Cruiser - Hunter Killer CLK Mine Layer CM Coastal Mine Layer CMC Coastal Patrol Boat CPC Coastal Patrol and Interdiction Craft CPIC Attack Aircraft Carrier CVA Attack Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear propulsion) CVAN Aircraft Carrier - Large CVB Escort Aircraft Carrier CVE Assault Helicopter Aircraft Carrier CVHA Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier CVHE Small Aircraft Carrier CVL ASW Support Aircraft Carrier CVS Training Aircraft Carrier CVT Utility Aircraft Carrier CVU Corvette DDC Anti - Submarine Destroyer DDE Hunter Killer Destroyer DDK Radar Picket Destroyer DDR Escort Ship DE Control Escort Ship DEC Guided Missile Escort Ship DEG Radar Picket Escort Ship DER Aegis Missile Destroyer DG Frigate DL Guided Missile Frigate DLG Guided Missile Frigate (Nuclear propulsion) DLGN Minelayer, Destroyer DM Minesweeper, Destroyer DMS Surface Effect Destroyer DS Open Lighter, Experimental EYC Covered Lighters, Experimental EYFN Fast Deployment Logistics Ship FDL Unclassified Miscellaneous Submarine IXSS Landing Craft Infantry (Flotilla Flagship) LCFF Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat) LCIG Landing Craft Infantry (Large) LCIL Landing Craft Infantry (Mortar) LCIM Landing Craft Infantry (Rocket) LCIR Landing Craft, Infantry (Small) LCIS Landing Craft Vehicle LCV Inshore Fire Support Ship LFR Amphibious Fire Support Ship LFS Amphibious Transport LPA Amphibious Transport, Small LPR Amphibious Transport Submarine LPSS Flotilla Flagship Landing Ship LSFF Landing Ship, Infantry Gunboat LSIG Infantry Landing Ship (Large) LSIL Landing Ship, Infantry (Mortar) LSIM Landing Ship, Infantry (Rocket) LSIR Medium Landing Ship (Rocket) LSMR Support Landing Ship (Large) Mark III LSSL Landing Ship, Tank (Casualty Evacuation) LSTH Landing Ship, Utility LSTS Vehicle Landing Ship LSV Small Mine Countermeasures Ship MCSL Minelayer, Fleet MM Minelayer, Auxiliary MMA Minelayer, Coastal MMC Minelayer, Fast MMD Minelayer, Fleet MMF Minesweeper Coastal, Non - magnetic MSC Minesweeper Coastal, Old MSCO Minesweeper, Fleet Steel Hull MSF Mine Hunter MSH Minesweeping, Special (Device) MSS Control Submarine Chaser (173 ft) PCC Patrol Escort PCE Control Escort (180 ft) PCEC Patrol Rescue Escort PCER Patrol Craft, Submarine PCS Control Submarine Chaser (136 ft) PCSC Eagle PE Patrol Escort PF Motor Gunboat PGM Patrol Combatant Missile (Hydrofoil) PHM River Gunboat PR Motor Torpedo Boat PT Motor Boat - Subchaser PTC Control Submarine Chaser (110 ft) SCC Fleet Submarine SF Mine Laying Submarine SM Submarine Cargo SSA Auxiliary Submarine SSAG Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine SSB Guided Missile Submarine SSG Anti - Submarine, Submarine SSK Submarine Oiler SSO Submarine Transport SSP Radar Picket Submarine SSR Radar Picket Submarine (Nuclear propulsion) SSRN Target and Training Submarine SST Tank Lighter TLL Sweeper Device XMAP Ash Lighter YA Miscellaneous Auxiliary Service Craft YAG Ocean Radar Station Ship YAGR Bow Dock YBD Fueling Barge YCD Open Cargo Lighter YCK Degaussing Vessels YDG Ammunition Lighter YE Covered Lighter (Special Purpose) YFNG Torpedo Transportation Lighter YFT Ambulance Boat YH House Boat YHB Salvage Lift Craft, Heavy YHLC Scow - Heating YHT Open Landing Lighter YLA Salvage Lift Craft, Light YLLC Mud Scow YMD Salvage Lift Craft, Medium YMLC Motor Mine Planter YMP Auxiliary Motor Mine Sweeper YMS Motor Tug YMT Net Tender (Boom) YN Net Tender (Tug Class) YNT Pontoon Stowage Barge YPK Repair, Berthing and Messing Barge (Large) YRBML Submarine Rescue Chamber YRC Covered Lighter (Repair) YRL Stevedoring Barge YS Salvage Pontoon YSP Harbor Tug YT Catapult Lighter YVC Water Distilling Barge YWDN
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"I fly this plane for my country, when it stops flying it's not my fault, it's the countrys." CDR Fred "Bear" Vogt. The Last Skipper of VF-33's, F-4's. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -- Author Unknown |
#3
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Whoa... beautiful man, beautiful answer... now I gotta digest it all :-)
Just what I was hoping for, and will now be able to refer back to. Thank you. |
#4
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Stop it, you're gonna make me blush!
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"I fly this plane for my country, when it stops flying it's not my fault, it's the countrys." CDR Fred "Bear" Vogt. The Last Skipper of VF-33's, F-4's. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -- Author Unknown |
#5
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Thank you SparrowHawk62,
Being a land locked critter I always wondered what the letters meant and now I know. Good post!!!
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506th Infantry "Stands Alone" It is well that war is so terrible, or we should get too fond of it. General Robert E. Lee |
#6
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Hey SparrowHawk!
Ya got a patch? Maybe post it under your handle as an avatar, if you go to the gallery button at the top o' this and every page... We have a MASTER webmaster in David, he knows how to do stuff if you need help. Ya see, for the Zoomies, Scamp and Boats speak of Crusiers and Frigates and what not... we have ZERO idea what they are meaning, but feel obliged to understand. It's sorta like old AF nomenclatures, e.g. X = experimental, F = fighter, C = Cargo, T = Trainer, U = Utility, R = Recon and so on. I don't know what all is going on today... it's a real help what you said. Even a Currahee agrees! p.s. DANG, you Navals have a LOT of classifications! |
#7
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OK, I gotta add just a little more. In the Coast Guard. Under 65 feet and you are a boat. 65 feet and over you are a cuttter. The name is a hold over from our predecessor service the Revenue Cutter Service.
WATF Coast Guard Ocean Going Tug - - Haul anything any where. WMEC Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter - - SAR/LE patrols, usually two weeks at a clip WHEC Coast Guard High Endurance Cutter - - deploys with Navy, 30 days to 6 months or more. WAGB Coast Guard Ice Breaker - - gone usually 4 to 6 months. WPB Coast Guard Patrol Boat - - Coastal search and rescue 87 feet WIX Misc. Like the Barque Eagle. WLB Bouy Tender -- Aids to Navigation, two classes, 175 feet and 225 feet MLB 47 foot, 52 foot surf boats stationed at Lifeboat stations along the coast to aid mariners in distress. Bill
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"Zounds! I was never so bethumped with words." King John 2.1.466 |
#8
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Bill, what an amazing complexity the Naval classifications are, are they not?
But, according to SparrowHawk there appears to be some kind of an emotional nomenclature associated with boat, vessel, ship? To close in on the point of the matter, would it be true to say that the Navy/Coast Guard just ups and names classifications on the whim of the moment, regardless of depth and width and length. Damn hard to figure them folks out Bill, e.g. Scamp talked about CHICAGO going from one thing to another classified-wise... how could that be? What I mean is this, what, specifically, makes a floating thing (I dare not say boat, or ship or vessel) become from one thing to another... Zoomies know the difference between a Sub and a Carrier. |
#9
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ALSO!!!!!!
NAVSOURCE.ORG has a wealth of information on past and present ships!!!
SF NC |
#10
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Quote:
There is no whim of the moment when dealing with the classification of a ship. A ship is given its nomenclature by the nature of it's assigned task. A carrier is a CV because C= Carrier V= fixed wing aircraft. The CVA was done away with by President Nixon. The USS Independence dropped her "A" on 28 Feb 73. Enterprise was CVAN-65 she's now CVN-65. Nixon felt we no longer needed the word ATTACK associated with the carriers in the fleet at the time. Conversion of some ships call for the mission to be changed thus the are Re-commisioned to meet this new mission. DD's changed to DDG's as weapon systems changed. The first Carrier the Langley was a converted coal tender. It all has to do with the mission of the ship. Now in regard's to our shallow water guys. They have their own naming system, for very good reasons. Different types of ships with missions that are different from those of us that go deep. So, now since you know about subs, what's the story with an SSBN vice a SSN?
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"I fly this plane for my country, when it stops flying it's not my fault, it's the countrys." CDR Fred "Bear" Vogt. The Last Skipper of VF-33's, F-4's. A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -- Author Unknown |
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