Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks

NATO Supply Group (NSG) 19, also known as Federal Supply Group (FSG) 19 in the US, is a standardized classification system for a broad category of maritime equipment: Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, and Floating Docks. It helps categorize and identify various types of floating vessels and structures used in various naval and commercial applications.

What does it include?

NSG 19 encompasses a wide range of items, categorized into several sub-groups:

• Combat Ships and Landing Vessels (FSC 1905): Includes warships, submarines, and amphibious assault vehicles.
• Transport Vessels, Passenger and Troop (FSC 1910): Categorizes vessels designed for transporting personnel and cargo, such as ferries, cruise ships, and troop transports.
• Cargo and Tanker Vessels (FSC 1915): Includes ships specifically designed for carrying cargo, like oil tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers.
• Small Craft (FSC 1940): This sub-group focuses on smaller vessels compared to larger ships, including:
  • Boats (e.g., lifeboats, patrol boats, rescue boats)
  • Dinghies
  • Yachts
  • Inflatable boats
  • Kayaks (although typically not used in military or commercial contexts)
• Pontoons and Floating Docks (FSC 1945): This sub-group includes:
  • Pontoons: Floating platforms used for various purposes, such as supporting bridges, work platforms, or recreational activities.
  • Floating Docks: Structures that provide a platform for mooring or loading/unloading vessels, often used in harbors and marinas.
• Floating Drydocks (FSC 1950): Specialized vessels used for raising ships out of the water for maintenance and repairs.
• Dredges (FSC 1955): Vessels equipped with machinery to remove and excavate underwater material, typically used for deepening waterways or maintaining harbors.
• Miscellaneous Vessels (FSC 1990): This category encompasses other types of vessels not readily classified in the other sub-groups, such as research vessels, survey ships, and tugs.

It's important to note:

• NSG 19 only classifies complete vessels and structures, while parts, accessories, and attachments fall under a different group (NSG 20 - Ship and Marine Equipment).
• The size and specific purpose of a vessel determine its classification within NSG 19.