VHF Marine Radio
Short Range Certificate

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A one- day course for anyone who owns or wishes to operate a fixed or hand held marine VHF radio.

A radio is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on board as it provides our contact with the Coastguard and other vessels.

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

What you cover on the course
Course content includes:
The basics of radio operation
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 is taught using radio simulators and is examined by a short written test. Before you attend the course you will need to learn the Phonetic Alphabet.

The Marine Radio Short Range Certificate is a pre-requisite for higher qualifications including RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.

The course is open to all age ranges. However, where young people under the age of 16 gain the certificate, it is a requirement that their use of the radio is supervised.

Course logistics
Courses are held at our marina (Royal Clarence) in Gosport beginning at 09.30 and finishing around 17.30. Your packed lunch along with teas and coffees are included during the day (including our now famous homemade cakes!).

If you have a group of 6-12 people who would like to do the course, then we can come to you

VHF Marine Radio
Short Range Certificate Progamme 2010

*Costs are based on per person

*An additional payment of £25.00 (payable to the RYA) will be required for the issue of your licence.

Additional Information
All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC to allow calls to specific vessels. If you hold the 'old' VHF licence (pre-1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you wish to use or purchase new equipment. this can be done by attending this one day course. Alternatively you can enter for direct examination without tuition. contact us for details.