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RYA VHF Radio Course
RYA VHF Radio Course
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. You will also be required to have a VHF licence when owning or chartering a boat in many countries other than the UK.
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.
The RYA VHF radio course is an essential course to ensure that skippers and crew 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.
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.
Course Information
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 | £99.00 + Licence fee payable to the RYA £30.00 |
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Feedback
FEEDBACK - VHF Radio Course Student Reviews
This was a really good refresher and update on VHF and DSC procedures. I assess it is good value for money too!
Gavin - VHF Radio Course, March 2013
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
Recommended reading
This book is essential background reading for anyone taking a VHF radio course. It covers all radio procedures from routine calls to urgency and distress and includes an explanation of the new GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) requirements.
Publisher: RYA · Format: Paperback · Pages: 44 · Dimensions: 210 x 147mm · Edition: 2008 (reprinted: 2012) · ISBN: 9781906435202
Reviews
...Required reading for anyone on a VHF course... Yachting Monthly, 2008
...These are great items to keep onboard at all times... Sailing Magazine
...Vital reading for those going to sea... Multihull Review, 2008
Syllabus
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)
Related:
October 20, 2010
Posted by: Karen
Categories: RYA Courses, Shorebased Courses
Tags: chartering a boat in Croatia, RYA Day Skipper course, VHF Radio Course, Yachtmaster Coastal, Yachtmaster Offshore
