COURSE DATES

RYA Approved Trainer: Simon Rabbett, HM Coastguard Officer

Mandatory: Yes
The Short Range Certificate is the qualification required by law if you operate a VHF radio fitted with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on any British vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio.
A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary transmissions could block out a Mayday distress call.

All new VHF sets are either fitted, or can be interfaced, with DSC allowing calls to specific vessels. If you hold the ‘old' VHF licence (pre-1999) you need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase new equipment. This can be done by attending this one-day course.

Under 16.5m Skippers Ticket
Successful completion of the GMDSS Short Range (Radio Operator) Certificate together with the 2 or 5 day navigation course, 1 or 2 day engineering course and the 1 day intermediate stability course, will complete the overall requirements of the Under 16.5m Skippers Ticket certificate which the MCA proposes to make mandatory in 2010.

Funding:
Thanks to support from the Department for Transport and the European Fisheries Fund, Seafish is currently able to fund the tuition fee for this course for experienced fishermen providing they hold certificates in Sea Survival, First Aid, Fire Fighting and Safety Awareness. See our 'Training Course' page for more info.

Tuition fee:
Experienced fishermen: Free* (subject to eligibility)
Normal fee: £80

Other fees and requirements: (to provide at time of booking)
Licence fee: cheque made out for £30 to the RYA
Passport size photo with candidates name on the back

Course Content:
The course will be taught using radio simulators and will cover the following topics.

• The basics of radio operation
• The correct frequencies (channels) to be used
• Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
• Making ship to shore telephone calls
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
• Search and Rescue (SART)

Examination type:
Short written test at the end of the day
Certificates will be sent directly to candidates by the RYA on succesful completion of the exam