RYA Short Range certificate course
A marine VHF radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board. Therefore it is vital to understand the correct procedures for using this radio system, avoiding confusing and unsuccessful transmissions, and if worst comes to worst being able to send out a Mayday or Urgency message. If you own a marine VHF radio, hand held or fixed on the boat, you are required by law to hold an operator’s licence.
This course is available at our RYA Training locations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Course content
The RYA Marine VHF Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required to operate marine VHF GMDSS radio equipment on a vessel. This includes both fixed and handheld equipment with and without Digital Selective Calling (DSC). The RYA Short Range Certificate issued in the UK is in line with other European countries as per the rules and regulations under CEPT (The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations).
Most candidates are required to complete an RYA SRC course prior to taking the exam. This SRC course may be taken in a classroom or online.
There is no age limit for taking the SRC course although exam candidates must be 16 years old on the day of the exam.
Course subjects include:
- routine operation of marine VHF radio including Digital Selective Calling
- knowing the correct VHF channels (frequencies) to be used for each type of communication
- distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
- ship to shore communication
- practical use of Marine VHF DSC radios
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
- Search and Rescue Transponders (SART)
The duration of the course is 10 hours plus examination. This consists of 3 hours of pre-course study at home and 7 hours of classroom study at our training centre.
The exam is a combination of a written theory test and practical assessment in the use of Marine VHF DSC radios.
Online course
We also offer the Short Range Certificate course as an online course, giving you the opportunity to study at your own pace at your own location. This RYA Online SRC/VHF Radio Course uses lots of practical examples, helping you to learn how to practically use the VHF radio within the realm of maritime VHF regulations.
The RYA Online SRC Radio Course also includes a large variety of simulated real-life situations - both for routine and distress transmissions.
When you have completed your online course and when you feel ready, you're welcome to contact us to book your SRC examination.
Ability after the course
Next to having become a skilled VHF operator, the SRC certificate is also one of the prerequisites for anyone wishing to apply for commercial endorsement of any of the following certificates:
- Yachtmaster Ocean
- Yachtmaster Offshore
- Yachtmaster Coastal
- Day Skipper practical, combined with an invigilated Day Skipper shorebase certificate
- Advanced Powerboat Course Completion Certificate (only if issued before 1st Jan 2005)
- Powerboat Advanced Certificate of Competence
- Powerboat level 2
What's included
- Extensive training on our VHF radios
- RYA VHF handbook
- Sandwich lunch and coffee/tea during the classroom course
- Access to the RYA online SRC course and remote instructor support (if you booked the online course)
- Examination at our training centre
- Free parking at our premises
Applying for your SRC licence
After successful completing the SRC course, you can take the examination and apply for the GMDSS Short Range Certificate. The examination and application costs £70, payable to the RYA.
