VHF/ SRC

What is the VHF Radio course and who is it for?

Marine VHF radio is the best way of summoning help. You can contact the coastguard up to 50 miles offshore and talk to other yachts up to 15 to 20 miles on the open sea. If you use a marine radio onboard your yacht you require, by law, a radio operator’s certificate. This is a 1-day course, which on completion you will be a competent radio operator and know the correct procedure for distress, urgency, and safety by means of marine VHF DSC radio.

Course content

• 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 will be taught using radio simulators and will be examined by a short written test.

Pre-course experience / requirements

None