RYA Shorebased Course

Marine Radio Short Range Certificate

The RYA SRC (Short Range Certificate) is the legal minimum qualification to operate a marine VHF radio, teaching correct channel use, everyday communication, and how to send distress, urgency and safety calls with confidence. This one-day course uses real VHF/DSC radio equipment rather than simulators, so you leave able to operate a radio on board with confidence.

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Duration

1 Day

Minimum Age

16 Years

Ratio

6:1 Max

Who Is This Course For?

Ideal for anyone who wants to operate a VHF radio on board legally – required by law to control a fixed or handheld marine VHF set. Also a prerequisite for the Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore exams, and often required by charter companies before handing over a boat.

Course Content

Radio Basics

How VHF works, correct channel use, and marine radio etiquette.

Routine Communication

Ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship calling procedures.

Distress, Urgency and Safety

Mayday, Pan Pan and Securite calls, and how to respond to them.

DSC (Digital Selective Calling)

Hands on use of DSC functions as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS).

Regulations

Licensing requirements and the legal responsibilities of operating a VHF radio.

Message Handling

Using the NATO phonetic alphabet, reading and passing on messages accurately over the radio.

Whats included

  • Instruction by an RYA-qualified instructor.

  • Use of  VHF/DSC radio equipment.

  • Course materials, including RYA VHF handbook.

  • Light refreshments during the course.

  • RYA SRC exam (£76 fee)

  • RYA SRC Certificate on successful completion.

Pre-Course Experience

No prior radio experience required. Around 3 hours of pre-course reading is provided and should be completed before the course begins.

Itinerary

Duration
5 days
Destinations
View routes
End
Ocean Village (Gib)

OutcomeBy the end of the course, you’ll be ready to sit the SRC exam — a written theory paper and a practical assessment on the use of marine VHF radios — and, on passing, hold the operator’s licence required to legally use a VHF radio on board.

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