Readiness categories distinguished usable reserve ships from vessels that could not respond to an emergency. A hulk was not prepared to sail and might instead serve as a store ship, prison ship, or other stationary facility. A ship in great refit was being rebuilt from the keel upward and was likewise unavailable. Enough of the old vessel might remain for the work to retain the name of a refit, but its readiness resembled a new construction project. Both categories therefore sat far below the partly crewed guard ship in practical mobilization value.
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Why hulks and ships in great refit were unavailable
Hulked vessels had become stationary facilities, while ships in great refit were being rebuilt too extensively to count as an available reserve.