| RYA Courses Details |
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The Short Range Certificate
Includes information on The Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS)
This is the new VHF Course |
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The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) became
operational on the 1st of February 1999. An increasing amount
of GMDSS VHF equipment is now available for small craft.
To prepare sailors for VHF communications in the GMDSS
era, the MCA/RYA have introduced the GMDSS Short Range Radio
Certificate (SRC). Yes, it should come with its own "UA"
course: Understanding Acronyms!
The SRC has replaced the VHF Operator's Certificate.
Existing holders of VHF radio operator certificates can
still operate VHF radios, but must update to SRC if they fit or
operate GMDSS equipment.
The SRC is a mandatory qualification for operators on
small craft fitted with VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC). |
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 SRC Training Courses
Ardclinis Outdoor Adventure is a RYA training
centre. We offer RYA training for SRC courses as well
as Powerboating, Windsurfing and First Aid Courses.
The RYA SRC Course is a one day course with a
requirement for a minimum 8 hours training. The
qualification is awarded by trainer assessment.
There's no age restrictions on this course. You do
have to be 16 years or over to gain the "authority to
operate" part of the certificate.
Course Requirements |
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Fluency in the phonetic
alphabet. |
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One passport
photograph. |
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| Apart from the phonetic alphabet, no previous
knowledge is assumed. Students wishing to prepare for
the course are encouraged to contact us for literature
and advice at any stage. We will send a copy of the
phonetic alphabet if requested when you book. |
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Course Content
0900 Start, with tea / coffee and registration
0920 Introductions and objectives
The practical operation of a standard Marine VHF Radio
Distress calling (specifically) using DSC
Voice technique
Channel usage
Distress / Urgency / Safety working
Channel usage and routine voice procedures
1300-1330 Break for Lunch - Bring something to eat
1330 Start of GMDSS Session
The GMDSS scheme
Equipment used in GMDSS i.e. EPIRBs, SARTS, NAVTEX,
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios
Practical use of DSC equipment, ie:
Distress, urgency, safety and routine communications
How to cancel a false distress alert
Selecting a channel
The Directory
Logged calls
Communicating with ship and shore stations
Entering position and time
Entering group MMSI
Equipment testing
1600 Skills assessment and written paper
1730 Completion of Course
The SRC Course commences 0900 and finishes 1730 |
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Holders of the VHF (restricted) certificate:
You can upgrade your VHF certificate to the SRC.
You may want to fit DSC equipment, in which case, you
should hold the SRC. You may want to complete the SRC course,
or update course, just for your own information, or to be ready
for using DSC equipment onboard another boat.
Click here for information about the update course. |
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All new marine VHF equipment being sold should be DSC
compatible. Check! - and also check that it is type approved
for use where you intend to use it. DSC compatible means that
you have the option of adding a unit, called a DSC controller,
to the radio. For instance, you can add a Simrad 1400
controller to the Simrad RT64 radio.
Just because your radio is DSC compatible doesn't mean
you have to upgrade your VHF certificate (but you can if you
wish).
If you wish to add a DSC controller, or if you wish to
fit an "all in one" DSC unit (often this is more convenient),
you should complete the SRC or the update. |
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Literature
The cost of the RYA handbook, VHF Radio (inc GMDSS)
G22/02, which will be referred to during the course, is
included in the course fee.
Fernhurst publish Sara Hopkinson's guide to using a VHF
radio called "VHF Afloat". (ISBN 1 898660 83 2) It covers DSC
sets and GMDSS. It will aid your preparation for the SRC course
and act as a useful reference. |
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Licensing Radios
The Radio Licensing Centre distributes Ships Radio Licences on behalf of Ofcom, the Office of Communications.
If you use a marine VHF radio, you should license it.
You don't need an SRC to license your radio. (and you
don't need a license to do the course or hold the certificate.
The RYA is not concerned with enforcement of licensing (nor
are we). You certainly can enjoy your course whether or not
you have paid for a license!
You can apply below for a Ship Fixed Radio Licence (£20
pa) or a Ship Portable Radio Licence (£15 pa). |
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MMSI
The Maritime Mobile Service Identification (MMSI) number
Each DSC unit needs an MMSI number.
It is programmed into the radio and in effect acts as an
electronic call sign. A VHF DSC radio automatically transmits
the MMSI every time a DSC call is made. This is like sending
your phone number - so people can call you back. It is hoped
that this method of contacting stations on channel 70 (to agree
a conventional, voice based, working channel) will reduce the
pressure on channel 16.
If the DSC radio is connected to a GPS receiver it also
transmits your position when a distress alert is sent.
Identifying you and your position is very quick and this
distress alert can, if necessary, be sent by an untrained
operator. Sending a genuine distress alert and/or message does
not require a licence. Having said that, use of DSC radio,
should be by, or under the direct supervision of, a SRC holder.
Normally, the only time that your radio sends your position is
when you use the distress function.
When you apply for a licence, or at any time afterwards,
you can request an MMSI number for your vessel. It is important
to remember that the dealer / manufacturer will require the
MMSI number so that they can programme it into the radio at the
point of sale. Any changes in details must be notified to the
Radio Licensing Centre as soon as possible.
The MCA are interested in tracking the numbers of small
craft users that have an MMSI and any requirements for a
directory, paper or web based. Visit the MCA's website or
email gemma_billany@mcga.gov.uk. |
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| Maritime and Coastguard Agency |
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MARS
The way to find out further information about a ship's
radio is through Maritime mobile Access & Retrieval System
(MARS). You can, for instance, input a ship's unique name and
find out its MMSI. We're not suggesting you using this if its
bow is towering above you! If you have more time, try http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/mars_index.sh
For further details of the Short Range Certificate
(GMDSS and VHF), contact the Royal Yachting Association on
0230 627 400 or visit their website (Then book with us!)
For details of the Long Range Certificate (GMDSS, VHF,
MF, HF and satellite communications) contact the Association
of Marine Electronic and radio colleges on 015394 32255 or visit their website.
For general information on the GMDSS contact the MCA
on 0870 600 6505 or visit their website.
For further information about the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) visit their website. |
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| Phonetic Alphabet |
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| A |
Alfa |
AL FAH |
| B |
Bravo |
BRAH VOH |
| C |
Charlie |
CHAR LEE |
| D |
Delta |
DELL TAH |
| E |
Echo |
ECK OH |
| F |
Foxtrot |
FOKS TROT |
| G |
Golf |
GOLF |
| H |
Hotel |
HOH TELL |
| I |
India |
IN DEE AH |
| J |
Juliet |
JEWLEE ETT |
| K |
Kilo |
KEY LOH |
| L |
Lima |
LEE MAH |
| M |
MIKE |
MIKE |
| N |
November |
NO VEM BER |
| O |
Oscar |
OSS CAH |
| P |
Papa |
PAH PAH |
| Q |
Quebec |
KEH BECK |
| R |
Romeo |
ROW ME OH |
| S |
Sierra |
SEE AIR RAH |
| T |
Tango |
TANG GO |
| U |
Uniform |
YOU NEE FORM |
| V |
Victor |
VIK TAH |
| W |
Whiskey |
WISS KEY |
| X |
X-ray |
ECKS RAY |
| Y |
Yankee |
YANG KEY |
| Z |
Zulu |
ZOO LOO |
| NOTE: The syllables to be emphasized are in bold. |
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Dates and price for this course.
The course fee includes the RYA booklet VHF Radio (inc
GMDSS) code G22/02.
The RYA examination fee is not included in the course
fee. It is payable, preferably by cheque, to the RYA on
successful completion of the course. We do the paperwork for
you. After the course, we will send our recommendation,
together with our record of your achievement, and the cheque to
the RYA. You should allow about 10 days for receipt of the
certificate. The certificate is unusual these days - it doesn't
expire. It is certainly a good idea to keep up your skills by
using various aspects of the radio regularly.
Book on our course and find out what you can do - and
what you should learn for a rainy day! |
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