Usage. Historically, prefixes for civilian vessels often identified the vessel's mode of propulsion, such as "MV" (motor vessel), "SS" (screw steamer; often cited as "steam ship"), or "PS" (paddle steamer).
Proper names of ships and other vessels should be italicized just as titles are. Keep in mind that although ship (or vessel) names should appear in italics, prefixes such as U.S.S. or H.M.S. should not.
The RMS TITANIC was designated as a 'Royal Mail Ship,' meaning the Ship had been contracted to carry Royal (British) Mail. TITANIC was also referred to as an SS ship which stands for 'steamship', indicating that the propulsion was steam powered, but 'SS' had less prestige than 'RMS', so it was used less.
The SS prefix, which appeared in the 19th century, is one of the earliest and most famous examples. It designated steam-powered craft, then at the cutting edge of naval technology. Originally, SS specifically referred to single-screw steamships, a specific type of steamship fitted with one propeller.
The original civilian ship prefix is SS, which is an acronym for “steamship.” Back in the early days of powered water vessels, shipping companies wanted a way to distinguish their newer, faster steamships from older, slower sail and oar propelled watercraft.
Common prefixes are MV (for Motor Vessel), MS (for Motor Ship), MT (Motor Tanker), SY (for Sailing Yacht) or MY (for Motor Yacht), while prefixes from older times were SS (for Steam Ship) and RMS (for Royal Mail Ship) or ever older HMS (for His/Her Majesty's Ship).
The U.S. Coast Guard, for instance, has few documentation regulations for the naming of vessels. Boat names must not be more than 33 characters. The name of the boat must not be identical, either literally or phonetically, to any word or words used to solicit assistance at sea (that rules out MayDay or similar names).
Every 1985 or newer watercraft operated in Utah waters must be titled except: A motorboat or a sailboat belonging to a class of vehicles the Division of Outdoor Recreation has determined to be exempt from registration. Watercraft that have valid marine documents issued by the US Coast Guard.
Historically, prefixes for civilian vessels often identified the vessel's mode of propulsion, such as "MV" (motor vessel), "SS" (screw steamer; often cited as "steam ship"), or "PS" (paddle steamer).
Here are some truly classy boat names: Serendipity. Liberty. Escapade. Diva. Spirit. Destiny. Carpe Diem. Namaste.