RYA SRC (Marine Radio) Course
This course is only open to OSC members and its affiliated organisations.
Course Date: 1st November
Exam Date: TBC
The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and handheld equipment using international channels. You do not need to hold a SRC to operate a VHF on the unregulated channels we use at OSC (P4/n2 etc.) so this course is for those dinghy sailing on the coast, and particularly if you hold or are planning to obtain a Day Skipper or Yachtmaster qualification.
To receive the certificate, students take the course and must also pass a 2 hour exam. Dates for the exam will be confirmed separately (these will be a series of two hours sessions). The club is only offering the exam to those who complete training with OSC.
Training is all day 9:00 to 17:00 . Two to 3 hours of preparation is required (phonetic alphabet, pro-words, Mayday Sequence and channel numbers) before coming to the course. To that end we will send out joining instructions and a copy of the RYA SRC Handbook, 2 weeks prior to the course. There will be lots of opportunity to practise using special training radios to build confidence.
The exam has a fee of £76 in addition to the course cost, payable directly to the RYA. You do not need to be an RYA member, but you do need to create a MyRYA account (free of charge). exams (rya.org.uk)
Course purpose
To have the confidence and qualifications needed to use a marine radio, both in routine and emergency situations. This qualification is for life.
Course content
- Background information on the GMDSS system and its equipment and licensing requirements
- Radio rules and regulations
- Operation of marine VHF equipment including DSC functions
- The phonetic alphabet
- Basic radio language and protocols including pro words such as over, say again, out etc.
- Correct use of the various channels
- How to make calls to other stations
- How to send a distress alert (DSC) and distress message (Mayday)
- How to send an urgency alert and a safety call
The training team look forward to meeting you!
Downloads
Last updated 10:25am on 9 September 2025