RYA VHF Marine Radio (SRC)

A one-day course for anyone who owns a fixed or hand-held marine VHF radio.

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.

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:

- the basics of radio operation

- the correct frequencies (channels) to be used

- distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures

- making ship to shore telephone calls

- Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators

- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)

- Search and Rescue (SART)