Stay Connected and Safe at Sea with Confidence

Effective communication is vital for safety and coordination on the water. Being heard at sea can be the difference between life and death.

The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the legal minimum qualification for anyone operating marine VHF radio equipment on a UK-flagged vessel — including both fixed and handheld sets, with or without Digital Selective Calling (DSC).

Whether you’re calling for help, speaking to the Coastguard, or coordinating with a marina, knowing how to operate your radio properly and confidently is absolutely essential.

Why This Course Matters

This isn’t just a tick-box qualification. It’s a life-saving skill.

In an emergency, knowing what to say — and how to say it — can get help to you fast. This course gives you the confidence to make distress calls, use DSC, and communicate clearly under pressure.

What You’ll Learn

How to operate marine VHF radios, both fixed and handheld

Distress, urgency, and safety procedures (Mayday, Pan Pan, etc.)

Medical assistance calls

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) functions

How the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) works

Making ship-to-shore calls via VHF

Whether you’re skippering your own RIB or crewing for someone else, this qualification could literally save your life — or someone else’s.