RYA Short Range Certificate (VHF Radio)

The RYA online VHF Radio course is a course for anyone who owns a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures.

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Description

The RYA VHF Radio Course is for anyone who uses or plans to use a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A radio is a critical piece of safety equipment, and it's essential to understand the correct operating procedures.

Legal Requirements and Course Content

The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum legal qualification required to operate VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British-flagged vessel. This includes both fixed and handheld devices. Using a radio correctly is vital for safety; unnecessary transmissions can block crucial Mayday distress calls.

Modern VHF sets are often fitted with DSC, which allows you to make calls to specific vessels. If you have an "old" VHF license (issued before 1999) and buy new equipment, you must upgrade your qualification. You can do this through a one-day course or a direct examination if you don't need the tuition.

The course covers a range of essential topics, including:

The basics of radio operation
Proper frequency (channel) usage
Distress, emergency, and medical assistance procedures
Ship-to-shore telephone calls
Using DSC with simulators
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
Search and Rescue (SART)

Online Learning and Certification

When you book the course, you'll receive your login details within 48 hours. This allows you to access the online modules and work through them at your own pace. You will also get a voucher code for an e-book copy of the RYA VHF handbook.

After completing the online modules and passing the online exam, you can print a Marine Radio Short Range Course Completion Certificate. This is required for your practical assessment, which includes instruction and an exam using radio simulators, along with a short written test.

You can take the SRC course either in a classroom or online, but the final examination must be conducted in person at an RYA-recognized training centre. Upon successfully completing the practical exam, you will be awarded the RYA VHF SRC certificate.