Classifications/Prefixs Used in the Ship Inventory
Definitions, Tonnages and Equivalents
ACTIVE - Ships currently in use or in an operating/readiness status.
BALE CUBE - The space available for cargo measured
in cubic feet to the inside of the cargo battens, on the frames, and to
the underside of the beams.
BARREL - 42 gallons, 5.615 cubic feet in volume.
CALL SIGN - International Radio Call Sign (IRCS).
CARGO DEADWEIGHT - Capacity is determined by deducting from total deadweight the weight of fuel, water, stores, dunnage, crew passengers, and other items necessary for use on a voyage.
DEADWEIGHT - The total lifting capacity of a ship expressed in tons of 2240 lbs. It is the difference between the displacement light and the displacement loaded.
DISPLACEMENT, LIGHT - The weight of the ship excluding cargo, fuel, ballast, stores, passengers, crew, but with water in boilers to steaming level. Displayed by default.
DISPLACEMENT, LOADED - The weight of the ship including cargo, passengers, fuel, water, stores, dunnage and such other items necessary for use on a voyage, which brings the ship down to her load draft.
FOS - Full Operating Status. Ships are fully operational, with complete crews aboard. Ships are FOS after they have been fully activated.
GRAIN CUBE - The maximum space available for cargo
measured in cubic feet, the measurement being taken to the inside of the
shell plating of the ship or to the outside of the frames and to the top
of the beam or underside of the deck plating.
*GROSS TONNAGE - The entire internal cubic capacity
of the ship expressed in tons of 100 cubic feet to the ton, except certain
spaces which are exempted, such as: (1) peak and other tanks for water
ballast; (2) spaces above the uppermost continuous deck, such as: open
forecastle, bridge and poop, certain light and air spaces, domes of skylights,
condenser, anchor gear, steering gear, wheel house, galley and cabins for
passengers.
INACTIVE - Ships identified are laid-up (non-operating/non-readiness status). The Reserve Fleet Inactive Summary includes ships under Headings for Title XI, MARAD and Navy.
LONG TONS - One long ton is equal to 2,240 pounds; used to measure petroleum products.
LONG TON MILES - One long ton transported one mile.
MEASUREMENT TON - Bale cubic in units of 40 cubic
feet to the ton. A capacity of 10,000 M/T is the same as 400,000 cubic feet.
MEASUREMENT TON MILES - One measurement ton transported one mile.
*NET TONNAGE - The tonnage most frequently used
for the calculation of tonnage taxes and the assessment of charges for
wharfage and other port dues. Net tonnage is obtained by deducting from
the gross tonnage, crew and navigating spaces and an allowance for the
space occupied by the propelling machinery.
ROS - Reduced Operating Status. Ships in ROS have a small crew onboard to assure the readiness of propulsion and other primary systems if the need arises to activate the ship.
WEIGHT TON - Calculated as long ton (2,240 lbs.)
Abbreviated W/T.
* Also referred to as Gross Register and Net Register Tonnage
Equivalents Used in Determining Capacities |
Fuel Oil |
37.23 |
cu. ft. |
(15 API) |
278.47 gals |
6.63 bbls = |
1 ton |
Diesel |
41.02 |
cu. ft. |
(30 API) |
306.90 gals |
7.31 bbls = |
1 ton |
Gasoline |
48.679 |
cu. ft. |
(60 API) |
364.17 gals |
8.67 bbls = |
1 ton |
Fresh Water |
36.0 |
cu. ft. |
(10 API) |
269.28 gals |
. . . . . |
1 ton |
Salt Water |
35.0 |
cu. ft. |
. . . . . |
261.80 gals |
. . . . . |
1 ton |
Coal |
45.0 |
cu. ft. |
. . . . . |
. . . . . |
. . . . . |
1 ton |
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Classifications/Prefixs Used in the Ship Inventory
Note: MSC ships carry the prefix "T" before their normal hull numbers. SECNAV Instruction 5030.8, dated 21 Nov 2006, provides classification for all naval ships and craft. Paragraph 3b, Special Instructions, states that "Letter prefixes shall be used in conjunction with classification symbols as follows: T -- To indicate that a government-owned or bareboat-chartered ship is assigned to Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC) as a type commander."
ACS |
- |
Auxiliary Crane Ship |
|
AR |
- |
Repair Ship |
AD |
- |
Destroyer Tender |
|
ARC |
- |
Cable Repairing Ship |
AE |
- |
Ammunition Ship |
|
ARG |
- |
Engine Repair, Internal Combustion Engine |
AF |
- |
Refrigerated Cargo/Store Ship |
|
ARS |
- |
Salvage Ship |
AG |
- |
Miscellaneous |
|
ARV |
- |
Aircraft Repair Ship |
AGDS |
- |
Deep Submergence Support Ship |
|
ARVH |
- |
Aircraft Repair Ship (Helicopter) |
AGFF |
- |
Auxiliary Fast Frigate |
|
AS |
- |
Submarine Tender |
AGM |
- |
Missile Range Instrumentation Ship |
|
ATF |
- |
Fleet Ocean Tug |
AGOR |
- |
Ocean Research Ship |
|
AVB |
- |
Aviation Intermediate Maintenance & Supply |
AGOS |
- |
Ocean Surveillance Ship |
|
AW |
- |
Distilling |
AGR * |
- |
Radar Picket Ship |
|
FSS |
- |
Fast Sealift Ship |
AGS |
- |
Surveying Ship |
|
GTS |
- |
Gas Turbine Ship |
AH |
- |
Hospital Ship |
|
HSV |
- |
High Speed Vessel |
AK |
- |
Dry Cargo Ship |
|
ITB |
- |
Integrated Tug Barge |
AKD |
- |
Bulk Cargo Ship (Ore, Grain, Phosphate, etc.) |
|
IX |
- |
Miscellaneous (Special Products: Wine, Liquified Petroleum Gas, Chemicals, etc.) |
AKE |
- |
Advanced Auxiliary Dry Cargo Ships |
|
LCC |
- |
Amphibious Force Flagship |
AKR |
- |
Vehicle Cargo Ship |
|
LKA |
- |
Amphibious Cargo Ship |
AKS* |
- |
General Stores Ship (fitted with bins) |
|
LMSR |
- |
Large Medium Speed RO-RO |
AKTB |
- |
Integrated Tug and Barge (Dry Cargo) |
|
LPA |
- |
Amphibious Transport |
AKV |
- |
Aircraft Cargo Ship |
|
LST |
- |
Tank Landing Ship |
ANL* |
- |
Net Laying Ship |
|
MCM |
- |
Mine Countermeasures Ship |
AO |
- |
Oiler |
|
MPS |
- |
Maritime Prepositioined Ship |
AOE |
- |
Fast Combat Support Ship |
|
MS |
- |
Motor Ship |
AOG |
- |
Gasoline Tanker |
|
MV |
- |
Motor Vessel |
AOT |
- |
Tanker |
|
SS |
- |
Steam Ship |
AOTB |
- |
Integrated Tug and Barge (Tanker) |
|
USNS |
- |
United States Naval Ship |
AP |
- |
Passenger, Comb. Passenger/Cargo Transport |
|
YAG |
- |
Miscellaneous Auxiliary |
|
* Classification/Prefix no longer in use. |
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With the exception of the ARC class, the letter "C" following a classification denotes coastal, indicating the ship has limited cruising radius, speed and/or small cargo deadweight. |
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Military Auxiliaries are arranged to Navy classification within each lay-up site. The figures for deadweight and cargo capacity apply only to ships capable of carrying cargo. Gross tonnage is not applicable to naval auxiliary and where listed is an estimated figure. |
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