Bluewater Training Associates

Training for off-shore & Ocean Yachtmaster

Near Southampton, Hampshire

If you are looking for the best RYA VHF Radio courses then please read on.

Long Range Certificate Course
01489 565100

Marine VHF radio is the best way of summoning help, you can contact the coastguard up to 50 miles off-shore and talk to other yachts up to 15 to 20 miles on the open sea.
If you use a marine VHF radio onboard your yacht you are required, by law, to hold 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, safety by means of marine VHF DSC radio.

Topics covered: -
  • VHF communications
    • Controls found on marine VHF set
    • Channels (simplex & duplex)
    • VHF communication range
  • VHF DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
    • Distress, Safety and Routine Calling
    • MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) numbers
  • Ships licence and radio regulations
  • Voice procedures
    • Maydays, Pan-Pans etc.
  • NAVTEX
    • MSI (Martine Safety Information) broadcasts
    • Stations
  • Portable safety equipment
    • EPIRB (Emergence Positioning Indication Radio Beacons)
    • SARTs (Search & Rescue radar Transponders)

Pre-course study
Although we cover all the topics in the SRC syllabus, pre-course study is recommended. RYA publication VHF Radio (inc GMDSS) VHF G22/02.

What to bring
Candidates must bring a current passport size photograph of themselves and a cheque or credit/debit card to pay the RYA for the certificate. There will be a short assessment towards the end of the course. Candidates will be sent their VHF-SRC operator's certificate from the RYA. 		Dates: Click here
Pre-course knowledge:
  • Only phonetic alphabet

Pre-course study:
  • VHF radio (inc GMDSS) - RYA publication G22/02.

Duration:
  • One day start 09:00 finish 17:00

Cost:
Exam Fee:
  • Payable to RYA
  • Plus a passport size photograph.

Equipment used during the SRC course includes :-
  • Icom IC-M421VHF marine transceiver
  • Icom IC-M601 VHF marine transceiver
  • Nasa Target Navtex receiver
  • Pains Wessex EPIRB and SART

Phonetic Alphabet: -
Knowledge of the phonetic alphabet is advised.
Alfa Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel India Juliett Kilo Lima Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey X-ray Yankee Zulu


Student Numbers
Student numbers are kept to a maximum of 6 students per course, so early booking is advised.

Course enrolment
To enrol please phone 01489 565100. Payment can be made over the phone by all major debit and credit cards.

Course location: The course takes place in our permanently equipped training studio at Lowford, Bursledon, Hampshire, close to the River Hamble.
The Instructor
The instructor's name is Bob Smith, who is a keen sailor with his own boat. Bob as logged 1000s of sea miles in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and North European waters. Bob has a technical background in radio communications and has a full UK radio amateur radio licence.

Training by yachtsmen for yachtsmen

Copyright Bob Smith - 2011