RYA VHF Marine Radio (SRC)

Marine Radio VHF Online Course (SRC) Cost £59, Certificate given after exam cost which costs £60.

A course for anyone who owns a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment using International channels.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call.

All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels. If you hold the ‘old’ VHF licence (pre-1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase new equipment. This can be done by attending this one-day course or, if no tuition is required, you can enter for direct examination.

Course topics include:

1.•the basics of radio operation

2.•the correct frequencies (channels) to be used

3.•distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures

4.•making ship to shore telephone calls

5.•Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators

6.•Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

7.•Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)

8.•Search and Rescue (SART)

The course will be taught online and examined using radio simulators. The exam will also include a short written test.

The SRC course can be taken online with an RYA recognised training centre. The exam must be taken at the training centre.

The Rya VHF book will be sent to you, once payment has been made but you can get started on the online course straight away.

Download the online taster course

A good place to start is by doing the online taster course just to make sure your computer is capable of running the course, if it works as a trial you will know it will work on the proper course.

Price £59

A exam is needed at the end and £60 to the RYA for the certificate

Date any time , but a trip to Whitstable to demonstrate what you have learned in a exam will be needed to complete the course.