Ships often have a prefix attached to their names to indicate which type of vessel they are, or their national affiliation. This isn't enforced by any law or governing body - it's tradition, as are so many other maritime customs. Thus, there aren't any strict guidelines that define what class a vessel falls into (with some obvious exceptions, "USS" being a prime example.) Here are the most commonly-seen acronyms, some of which are no longer in broad use:
DS Diesel Ship
Fishing Vessel HMAS
FV Fishing Vessel
HMAS Her Majesty's Australian Ship (used exclusively by the Australian Navy)
HMCS Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (used exclusively by the Canadian Navy)
HMS Her Majesty's Ship (used exclusively by British Navy vessels)
MS Motor Ship
MTS Motor Turbine Ship
MV Motor Vessel (this is commonly used in the US for ferries, cargo vessels, and cruise ships)
NS Nuclear Ship
RMS Royal Mail Ship
RV Research Vessel (typically oceanographic science ships)
SS Steam Ship
SSC Semi-Submersible Craft
STR Steamer
STV Sail Training Vessel
TS Training Ship
TSS Turbine Steam Ship
USCGC U.S. Coast Guard Cutter
USNS United States Naval Ship (used for vessels in US Navy service but manned by civilian crew)
USS United States Ship (used exclusively for commissioned US Navy vessels)
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