Naval Classifications

[BLUEHAWK]

- 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 :-)?

[SparrowHawk62]

Originally posted by BLUEHAWK - 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 :-)?

My Boat, the Boat, our Boat is a term of endearment. Used in the following manner: I'm going back to My Boat, The Boat is go to be haze gray soon, Our Boat the Indy is the best damned carrier in the Fleet!
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


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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

[BLUEHAWK]

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.

[SparrowHawk62]

Stop it, you're gonna make me blush!

[Bill Farnie]

Thank you SparrowHawk62,

Being a land locked critter I always wondered what the letters meant and now I know.
Good post!!!

[BLUEHAWK]

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!

[Tamaroa]

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

[BLUEHAWK]

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.

[the humper]

NAVSOURCE.ORG has a wealth of information on past and present ships!!!
SF
NC

[SparrowHawk62]

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.

OK, Let an ABH who was TAD to the MAA while on a CV that was formally a CVA try to es-plain some more.

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?