what is hmas

HMAS stands for "His Majestys Australian Ship" or "Her Majestys Australian Ship" when the monarch is female. It is a ship prefix used for commissioned units of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) . The prefix is derived from HMS, the prefix used by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, and can be equally applied to warships and shore establishments. The prefix was approved for use in identifying units commissioned into the RAN in 1911 by King George V, who also granted the title of Royal Australian Navy to the naval forces of Australia. Therefore, HMAS is a designation used for Australian naval ships and bases.