RYA VHF Marine Radio (SRC)

If you own or use a VHF marine radio, then it is a legal requirement to have an \'Authority to Operate\' license, or to be supervised by someone who does.

The VHF Short Range Certificate course which includes Digital Selective Calling is a 1 Day (8 hour) course and provides you with the relevant qualifications needed to legally operate a VHF radio.

There are several practical reasons for using a VHF as your primary form of safety communication:

- Mobile \'phone networks are unreliable at sea

- You can only can only call one number with a \'phone, and therefore surrounding vessels will be unaware of your circumstances

- Modern DSC VHF radios can transmit position with distress message (when connected to GPS)

- The rescue services can obtain a bearing of VHF signals

- It is HM Coastguard\'s preferred method of communication.

Useful Information

Please note that there is a further charge, by the RYA for the examination and certification (Currently £60)