Marine Short Range Certificate

Marine Radio Short Range Certificate

The Marine Radio course is run at our Club House, in the evening over 4 weeks. The duration is 10 hours (of which 3 may be home self-study).

The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required to operate marine VHF radio equipment on a UK flagged vessel. This includes both fixed and handheld equipment with and without Digital Selective Calling (DSC).

It is obtained by successfully completing and SRC exam conducted at an RYA Recognised Training Centre.

Most candidates are required to complete an RYA SRC course prior to taking the exam, therefore the majority of exams take place after marine radio SRC courses. When booking a SRC course the RYA training centre will give you details of the time and location for the exam.

The SRC course may be taken in a classroom or online through an RYA Recognised Training Centre. 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
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 exam:

The exam is a combination of a written theory test and practical assessment in the use of Marine VHF DSC radios. Candidates must be 16 years old on the day of the exam.

Following on from the Covid restrictions we have decided not to run any VHF classes this year at TYC.

We realise that if we run a VHF course we will need to wipe clean the microphone on our training radios

each time it gets passed from one student to the next - which will involve some 60 wipes per evening.

So what we are suggesting to potential students is to do the course online on your computer at home.

The RYA has put together an online course - which we are told by those who have taken it is very good.

After you have done the course online you will need to be examined to gain your VHF/SRC licence.

You have to take the exam in person with an examiner present.

That is where Twickenham Yacht Club can get involved, as we have two RYA approved SRC examiners as members.

If you require further information contact us at courses@twickenhamyc.org

Click here for course dates and application form.