RYA Marine VHF Radio Course – ONLINE

RYA Marine VHF Radio course - Online version

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About the course

 

The online RYA Marine VHF Radio (SRC) Course is a flexible, interactive version of the classroom programme designed to teach students how to operate marine VHF and VHF/DSC radios safely and legally. Hosted on the RYA Interactive learning platform, the course blends videos, animations, audio examples, and practical simulations to help learners understand correct radio procedures. It covers all aspects of marine communication, beginning with the functions of both fixed and handheld VHF/DSC sets and how Digital Selective Calling works within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Students learn how to make routine, safety, urgency and distress calls, how to send and respond to DSC alerts, and how to communicate effectively with coastguards, harbours and other vessels.

The course also introduces essential concepts such as Mayday calls, Pan-Pan messages, Securité broadcasts, channel allocation, radio etiquette, and the legal requirements for radio operators in the UK. Learners gain an understanding of how EPIRBs, SARTs and AIS interact with modern marine radio systems. Throughout the course, students complete interactive scenarios that simulate real radio use, helping them practise pressing the correct DSC buttons, choosing the right channels and speaking clearly using standard marine phrases.

The online RYA VHF Radio Course is aimed at a wide range of boaters who need to obtain the Short Range Certificate (SRC), the mandatory UK qualification for operating marine VHF radios. It is ideal for yacht skippers, powerboaters, dinghy sailors, RIB users, paddleboarders, and anyone using marine VHF radio afloat. The online format is especially useful for people with busy schedules, those living far from a training centre, or learners who prefer to study at their own pace. It is also suited to new boat owners, commercial skippers seeking endorsements, and crew members who want to gain confidence in emergency communication procedures. After completing the online module, students attend a short in-person exam with an RYA assessor to gain the certificate.

(Note: When you book this course we will send you the eBook version of the RYA VHF Handbook that you need for pre-study for your course)

Book your online course

This is an online course so all you need to do is select ‘Book Now’ below and then follow the purchase and payment process. We will register you for the course on the RYA Interactive site - your login will arrive the next business day. We're always really keen to chat to you when you’re booking a course as whilst we are happy to take bookings through this system for your convenience - nothing beats chatting about boats and courses! Whilst this is an online course you will be prompted for a date, just leave the date it gives you as it doesn't matter what date is selected.

Purchase this course by selecting this button. (NOTE: To keep our booking system happy use today's date for the course start and end date.) Book now
For information... When you make a booking using this system please be aware that we need to set you up on the online system to get started on the course. This is a manual process and at the latest we will do this the next working day.   Emails...Once you have finished the process you will receive a variety of emails. If you do not get any then please check your spam folder and if there is nothing there then please let us know.   Your logon details and course pack...We will send you your logon details and also send out the course pack to you. If you are buying the version for overseas customers then obviously this pack may take a little while to get to you. You don't need to wait for the pack though and can get cracking with the online course before the pack arrives.

These courses are booked for us by our partner school - Powerboat Training UK