RYA Short-Range Certificate (SRC) VHF Radio

RYA Theory > RYA Short-Range Certificate (SRC) VHF Radio

Overview

Course
Syllabus

Who would raise the alarm in a distress situation on board your boat? What if the skipper was unable to? The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is a minimum legal requirement for every British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. It’s also an essential and informative qualification for anyone who enjoys boating so that they can use a marine radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) functionality. 

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. You will learn how to use VHF/DSC radios in day-to-day routine situations – such as booking a marina berth or calling friends on board their boat. A large part of the course is also spent familiarising you with radio procedures during distress, safety and urgent situations – from making a DSC/Mayday call to reporting a container floating in the shipping lanes.

As described above, the course is split into two distinctive separate sections:

Part 1 Complete the RYA SRC/VHF Radio operator course online - 6-8 hours.

Part 2 Complete practical radio operation and theory exam.

The final exam which includes a short theory paper and practical exercises using a DSC equipped radio set takes about 1 hour to complete and must take place at an RYA Recognised Training School . You can sit this exam at our training facility based in Swanwick Marina on the river Hamble.

We always have a range of dates available and can also be arranged at a time to suit your diary requirements at our training center in Swanwick, Southampton.
Pre-Course
Experience
3 hours of self-study before the course details of which will be included in the pack we send after you order.
Assumed
Knowledge
None
Student
Instructor Ratio
DurationOnline Study follwed by short practical exam.
Course
Content
  • Background information on the GMDSS system and its equipment and licensing requirements
  • Radio rules and regulations
  • Operation of marine VHF equipment including DSC functions
  • The phonetic alphabet
  • Basic radio language and protocols including pro words such as over, say again, out etc.
  • Correct use of the various channels
  • How to make calls to other stations
  • How to send a Distress Alert and Distress Message (Mayday)
  • How to send an urgency alert and a safety call
Ability after
Course
To have the confidence and qualifications needed to use a marine radio, both in routine and emergency situations.

What’s Included

Access to online training course and an RYA VHF Handbook which can either be posted to you within one working day or provided as an RYA eBook instantly.

Please note that the exam fee is separate as it is paid directly to the RYA. Don’t forget to bring a passport-sized photograph so that we can submit an application form on your behalf. Your "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Certificate of Competence and Authority to Operate" licence will then be sent to you in the post.

RYA Short-Range Certificate (SRC) VHF Radio

All our online courses are bookedthrough our dedicated online learning platform at www.sailingcourseonline.co.uk

See what our students say:

K Hunt - RYA Day Skipper

"Another very thorough & enjoyable couple of days on the water. Good food as well makes for happy sailors"

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