SRC VHF Radio

The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.

A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call. All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels. If you hold the ‘old’ VHF licence (pre-1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase new equipment.

In order to gain this licence from January 2014 it was necessary to complete an on-line course (intended to take about 10 hours) and then have an assessment (about an hour) with an RYA SRC Assessor. Both elements can be provided by rusailing – please email for full details.

Course topics include:

• the basics of radio operations
• the correct frequencies (channels) to be used
• distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
• making ship to shore telephone calls
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
• Search and Rescue (SART)

The course will be taught on line and will be assessed by using radio simulators and with a short written test.