Why do the RYA VHF Course (short range certificate)?

Quite often people think they can rely on their mobile phone when they are out boating. Well you can – providing you have a signal! Or you have not run out of phone battery or have dropped your phone in the water. A mobile phone is certainly a good back up, but should never be your main source of on water communication.

Do you know what to say if you had to call the Coastguard in an emergency? We find many people are a bit shy of using their VHF, and it can feel a little be intimidating. Yet it is very straight forward and fun to learn.

Your VHF marine radio on board is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on our Club boats. It is used to contact other vessels, marinas and harbours and, most importantly, the Coastguard in an emergency.

Doing the RYA SRC (short range certificate) course is a simple way to get familiar with making VHF radio calls. The course and licence is compulsory for anyone owning a VHF radio on their own boat.

Make sure you can always be in touch

This is why we recommend the RYA marine radio SRC course for all Boat Club Trafalgar members to get familiar and confident using the VHF. Plus, we provide the courses for our members too.

The course is a one day shore-based course with practical hands-on sessions with an expert Instructor. Based in the classroom there is plenty of opportunity to practice and role play making calls, including the all important MayDay call, and a short assessment at the end of the day.

The RYA course syllabus includes:

Routine VHF radio communications & ship to shore calls
DSC – digital selective calling
Use of the right radio channels
Distress, emergency and medical calls
Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS)
Emergency position indicating radio beacons – EPIRBS, PLBs and SARTs

The course are run through our Trafalgar Powerboat Training Centre based here at Trafalgar Wharf.

Duration: 1 day (normally 08.30 – 17.00 approx)

Courses include RYA handbooks, a warm training room, tea and coffee. Lunches can be purchased at our on site café.

If you require any further information please feel free to get in touch on 023 9239 7000