RYA SRC (Marine Radio) Course
This course is only open to OSC members, their family/friends and its affiliated organisations.
Tickets for family/friends must be booked by members
Course Date: 14th March 09:00 - 17:00
Exam Date: TBC
The Course
The purpose of this course is to provide the knowledge and confidence to use a marine radio, both in routine and emergency situations, and gain the Short Range Certificate (SRC) qualification. The course is a mixture of theory presentation and practice using radios specially set up for the purpose.
2 - 3 hours of preparation is required 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.
To receive the certificate, students must take the course and also take and pass the exam.
The Certificate / Exam
The Short Range Certificate (SRC) qualification is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF 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 at OSC so this course is mainly for those sailing on the coast, particularly if you hold or are planning to obtain a Day Skipper or Yachtmaster qualification, or those interested in the subject.
The SRC examination follows the course (on a date to be confirmed separately) and costs £76 and lasts 2 hours.
The exam fee is in addition to the course cost and is 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)
The club is only offering the exam to those who complete training with OSC.
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!
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Last updated 3:30pm on 1 February 2026