WARSHIP PREFIX for CHINA and CHILE

[Chris Howell]

Can anyone help with correct prefix for CHINA for naval craft.

It is not ROCS this is for TAIWAN only.

Also CHILE, they may not have an offical prefix though.

[Lars Brunkman]

Hi,

According to the FAQ here it's MSA for China and CNS for Chile
http://www.shipspotting.com/support/faq.php?category=Military%20ships

Regards

[Clydee]

For "China", it is a political as well as geographical question

For Peoples Liberation Army Navy ships see links on
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1707932

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ships_of_the_People's_Liberation_Army_Navy

[Chris Howell]

Thanks

PLAN looks logical, but where does MSA fit in as per site guidlines for China ?

[Robert J Smith]

Hi Chris,

I've only seen a few Chinese naval ships here in the UK and they were all "advertised" as PLAN ...
When the Chilean ESMERALDA visited London I believe she was shown as CNS ... on the PLA website

As Ken says, I have not seen anything official for Chile, not even in Janes Fighting Ships. Maybe one of our Chilean spotters can confirm.

Regards

Bob

[Clydee]

For Chile.

This is dated 2009, but may be helpful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_ships_of_the_Chilean_Navy

See also http://www.armada.cl/prontus_armada/site/edic/base/port/armada_ingles.html

[Chris Howell]

Thanks for feedback

PLAN then for CHINA

and

CNS for CHile

[Richard Matterson]

Chris,

There is no official prefix for Chilean Naval Ships. CNS is merely an unofficial prefix used by a number of websites (Wikipedia included) to help differentiate countries. Officially the Chilean Navy is known as the 'Armada de Chile'.

Similarly I am not convinced that Chinese ships should be prefixed with 'PLAN' which is an abbreviation for the name of the force - People's Liberation Army Navy.

Richard.

[samson46]

The website referred to by the webmaster is no more authoritative than any other. It is riddled with inaccuracies and inconsistencies. The adoption of this naval prefixing system was like walking into a minefield and would have been better avoided altogether by simply entering the ship's name (eg no HMS)and then perhaps providing a box to say in plain English (since that's the official language of the site) "Royal Navy", "US Navy" or whatever. The powers-that-are have made a rod for everyone's back with this one.

[Robert J Smith]

Well Ken, I think there is every point in continuing the format for warships and commend you & the admins for their effort in making the corrections.

Maybe its time for some deletions for those photos that are being upload in defiance of the Guidelines as is done with other categories.

Regards

Bob

[victor radio74]

Hi,I am in accordance with Samson46.This prefix system is a fuss.For example where is the prefix in the mentioned web for the Spanish Navy?
regards

[Clydee]

Whether or not PLAN is an official Country Designator, shipspotting could decide to use it for consistency of format and to facilitate searching for pics of ships in the second biggest navy in the world.