RYA VHF Radio Course (Including GMDSS)

Our next RYA VHF Radio Course is on March 23rd  

The RYA VHF radio course is a one day course leading to the Short Range Certificate. This the qualification required by law if you operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.

It is important to note that any person operating a VHF radio without the correct certification is liable for prosecution and can have the equipment confiscated. The skipper of any vessel should have a VHF Radio licence however in a critical situation the coastguard would accept a transmission from an unqualified person. The VHF radio is an important piece of safety equipment on a yacht or motor boat and  and can be used by any crew member under the supervision of a person with a VHF Radio licence.

A VHF 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 radio 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 by taking the RYA VHF Radio course if you purchase new equipment. This can be done by attending this one-day course or if no tuition is required you can enter for direct examination.

The RYA VHF radio course is a pre requisite for candidates taking either their RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal or RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence examinations. It is also desirable for anyone taking the RYA Day Skipper course to also take the RYA VHF Radio course.

It is now a legal requirement for anyone chartering a boat in Croatia to hold a valid VHF radio licence.

This one day RYA VHF Radio Course covers:

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

The course will be taught using modified radios and will be examined by a short written test. We have a 100% pass rate for this exam.

Held on our barge at Gosport Marina. Contact us if you would like us to run a RYA VHF radio course in your club or office.

1 Day Course

VHF Radio Course Student Reviews

Course content well explained in an easy manner with good aids and practical sessions.

John - VHF Radio Course, March 2012

Have really enjoyed the course today looking forward to doing the next one.

Helen - VHF Radio Course, March 2012

Course dates and fees

Book On-line

Duration	1 day	Maximum students : instructor	8:1
Location	Solent	Minimum age	All ages
What’s included	Tea, coffee and biscuits	Extras	Lunch can be purchased locally or you can bring your own RYA VHF Radio Handbook £5.99 Licence fee £30.00
When	All Year 0900hrs – 17.00hrs	Accommodation	Non residential although we may be able to provide accommodation on one of our yachts for £10.00 per night.
Let us know about	Any special requirements and needs	Cost	£110.00 + Licence fee payable to the RYA £30.00

Booking form – RYA Shorebased courses

Related:

1. VHF Radio Course – get ready for the season
2. VHF Radio, Day Skipper Theory and Diesel Engine Maintenance