Hull classification symbol (Canada) explained

The Royal Canadian Navy uses hull classification symbols to identify the types of its ships, which are similar to the United States Navy's hull classification symbol system. The Royal Navy and some European and Commonwealth navies (19 in total) use a somewhat analogous system of pennant numbers.

In a ship name such as the ship prefix HMCS for Her or His Majesty's Canadian Ship indicates the vessel is a warship in service to the Monarch of Canada, while the proper name Algonquin may follow a naming convention for the class of vessel. The hull classification symbol in the example is the parenthetical suffix (DDG 283), where the hull classification type DDG indicates that the Algonquin is a guided-missile destroyer and the hull classification number 283 is unique within that type. Listed below are various hull classification types with some currently in use and others that are retired and no longer in use.

Auxiliary ships

• AGOR: Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (retired), ^[1]
• AGSC: surveying vessel (retired) Example included: ^[2]
• AOR: Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment, ^[3]
• ARE: Auxiliary Replenishment Escort (retired). Examples
• ASL: diving support vessel (retired from the Royal Canadian Navy) Included:
• F: escort armed ships (retired pre World War II passenger ships that were converted to military roles during the war)^[4]
• FHE: Fast Hydrofoil Escort (retired, prototype tested 1968–1971), ^[5]
• K: sloop and submarine tender (also used for frigates and corvettes). Example included: ^[6]
• KC: sail training. Example includes: ^[7]
• PCT: Patrol Craft Training (supersedes YAG) Examples include: s^[8]
• T: armed trawler (retired). Example included:,
• YAG: Yard Auxiliary General (retired training vessels, superseded by PCT) YAG training vessels CFAV Grizzly (YAG 306), CFAV Cougar (YAG 308)
• YTB: Yard Tug. Examples include:
• YTL: Yard Tug. Examples include: s Lawrenceville (YTL 590), CFAV Parksville (YTL 591)
• YTM: Yard Tug. Example includes:
• YTR: Yard Tractor tug fireboats. Examples include: s

Aircraft carriers

• CVL: light carrier (retired) Examples included:,, and
• D: World War II escort carrier (retired) Examples included and s:
• R: carrier World War II (retired, was also used for destroyers)

Corvettes

• K: corvette (retired, was also used for frigates and a sloop-of-war). Examples included: s

Cruisers

• C: light cruiser (retired) Examples included

Destroyers

• D: destroyer - World War II era (retired) eg
• DD: destroyer - World War II era (retired, DD was used by the United States Navy, I was used by the Royal Canadian Navy for US built DD destroyers)
• DDE: escort destroyer (retired)
• DDH: air defence destroyer - helicopter, eg
• DDG: area air defence - guided missile
• G: destroyer - World War II era (retired, included and es)
• H: escort destroyer - World War II era (retired, included and es)
• I: destroyer - World War II era (retired)< Examples included:,,
• R: destroyer (post World War II retired, was also used for a carrier) World War II destroyer examples included: - V class and -

Frigates

• F: frigate
• FFE: escort frigate (post World War II; used for, retired)
• FFH: multi-role patrol frigate - helicopter eg

Minesweepers

• J: minesweeper (retired, used for World War II era,, and s)
• MCB: post World War II minesweeper (retired) used for
• MSA: Mine Sweeper Auxiliary: (in use 1989–2000, retired)
• MM: Mechanical Minesweeper - more recently known as coastal defence vessels such as

Submarines

• CC: World War I era gas powered submarines
• CH: World War I era diesel-electric submarines
• S: Submarine (retired Cold War era diesel electric: last used by s)
• SS: Submarine (retired, used for US built (1961–1969) and (1968–1974)-class vessels)
• SSK: Hunter-Killer Submarine or long range submarines. Eg Victoria-class submarines

Patrol

• AOPV: Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel

Notes and References

1. Web site: ENDEAVOUR. 2010-03-21.
2. Web site: SeaWaves Today in History September 22, 2008. 2010-03-21. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110515134027/http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/TDIH/september/22Sep.txt. May 15, 2011.
3. Web site: Canadian Navy: HMCS PRESERVER - Ship Home. 2010-03-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101102231455/http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/preserver/0/0-s_eng.asp. 2010-11-02.
4. Examples included:,, and
5. Web site: Skimming the Waves - Canada Science and Technology Museum. 2010-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20090620193250/http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/collection/innovation02.cfm . 2009-06-20. dead.
6. Web site: BRAS d'OR. 2010-03-22.
7. Web site: Canada's Navy: HMCS ORIOLE. 2010-03-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100513081337/http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/oriole/. 2010-05-13.
8. Web site: Canadian Navy: MARPAC - Maritime Forces Pacific - Pacific Fleet: Patrol Craft Training (PCT). 2010-03-22. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110613030819/http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/1/1-w_eng.asp?category=24&title=1041. 2011-06-13.