RYA VHF Marine Radio (SRC)

The RYA VHF Radio Course provides training and examination for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Short Range Certificate (SRC). It is commonly just called the Marine VHF Licence.  You can choose to attend a one-day classroom course and assessment or an on-line course with a separate assessment.  In both cases the course will teach you marine VHF radio procedures including voice procedures and use of the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system. In the classroom course you will use real radio equipment networked in a simulator. You will be shown how to operate the various radios, and have the opportunity to practice transmitting voice messages and DSC messages and alerts. Special emphasis is given to distress procedures and you will learn how to send a ‘Mayday’. In the on-line version you can study at home using on-screen simulation of radio equipment on a pc or Ipad.

This is a very interesting course that gives you an insight into marine radio procedures and also the organisation of international distress and safety systems. It is essential to complete the course (classroom or on-line) and then pass a written, oral and practical examination to obtain the licence (properly called the Short Range Certificate). Possession of the certificate is a legal requirement if you want to operate a Marine VHF set and the knowledge could help to save lives in an emergency. This is a must for all skippers and a very good idea for crews too.