VHF Marine Radio Short Range Certificate
VHF (Very High Frequency) radios are a fundamental tool for marine communication, offering a crucial connection between boats and boats and and shore-based services such as the coastguard and harbour authorities. A VHF radio can be used to send distress messages, warn vessels of potential hazards, or receive safety information such as navigational warnings and weather forecast. Safety is the primary reason why many seafarers opt for VHF Marine Radio course, which results in obtaining a Short Range Certificate (SRC).
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requires all seafarers operating VHF radios on vessels equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) to hold a qualification, such as the SRC.
The fee includes access to the online course, a handbook, and SRC exam at Seascope France RYA Training Center.
Contact us for exam dates prior booking the course.
Additional fee of 70GBP for the SRC Exam Application is payable directly to the RYA.
What you need to know
- Place: Online & Golfe-Juan
- Pre-requisites: min 16 years old
- Duration: 8-10 hours online; approx. 1 h 30 min - exam.
- Price: 100 euros
- Additional fee: 70 GBP Exam fee payable directly to the RYA
Upon completion of the online part, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which will be used to schedule your in-person exam. The exam report will be mailed to the Royal Yachting Association, and the RYA will take up to 21 days to issue your VHF license. The license is mailed to your address directly by the RYA. If you need your license urgently, you can use Fast Track option for an extra fee.
The exam fee is payable directly to the RYA. Please, click here for the payment options.
About the course
Our VHF radio online course is very user-friendly and can be completed in about five hours. The course content includes:
- Types of equipment
- Basics of radio operation
- Rules and regulations
- VHF channels
- Voice procedures: routine, distress, urgency and safety calls
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
After working through the training modules, students complete a pre-exam check and take a practical exam at Seascope France training center.
VHF Radio Short Range Certificate is a pre-requisite for many RYA training courses such as RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Preparation or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Package. This course is also highly recommended for future deckhands.
Assessment dates
Upcoming assessment dates:
- 17 January 2025: 9 am - 5 pm
- 14 February 2025: 9 am - 5 pm
- 13 March 2025: 9 am - 5 pm
- 10 April: 9 am - 5 pm
To schedule and assessment, you need to provide the following (email to training@seascopefrance.com):
- - Certificate of Completion
- - SRC Exam Application (emailed to you by RYA upon exam payment)
- - A copy of your ID
If you need to schedule an assessment on a different date, please, contact us.