VHF Short Range Certificate
Boost your sailing qualification
If you are doing an RYA training course with us, why not boost your qualification by adding the Marine Radio Short Range Certificate? In some countries, like Croatia, this certificate is the minimum requirement by law to charter a yacht.
Those of you that have sailed before will know that the VHF radio is a vital piece of equipment on board your yacht. On our flotillas you will use your VHF to communicate with your lead crew and other flotilla sailors, so knowing how to operate it correctly, would come in handy.
Why do your VHF Short Range Certificate?
You may think that the use of a VHF radio is simple and you may have also used one if you have sailed on flotillas with us before. However, you have probably been lucky enough to never have needed to use your VHF Radio in an emergency. This certificate will enable you to hone the skills that you already have and feel confident if you needed to use the radio as a piece of safety equipment on board your yacht.
If you are planning on chartering a yacht independently some countries, such as Croatia, legally require someone on board to hold this certificate so it may come in handy on future holidays.
The bonus of adding this certificate to your RYA course it that it is then done and dusted, it never expires so there couldn’t really be a more convenient way of taking this course. Who wants to sit in a class room when you could study in the sun?
The Assessment
Prior to you heading out to Greece, you will be sent all of your online theory materials by email, and a theory book for the VHF Certificate will arrive in the post. The online course is very flexible and should take you about 8 hours. This can be spread over the time leading up to your course.
When you are out enjoying the sunshine, and completing the practical section of your course, you will complete the final part of the VHF Certificate. Your instructor will sit down with you and do your 1 hour assessment for the final section of the qualification.
Certificate Topics
• The basics of radio operation
• The correct frequencies (channels) to use
• Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
• Making a ship to shore telephone call
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS)
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
• Search and Rescue (SART)
How much does it cost?
In addition to the week (or two week) RYA Course cost the VHF Certificate is an additional £120 per person, this includes the online theory course, the VHF theory book and your assessment out in Greece.
Course Requirement
To obtain the RYA Short Range VHF Certificate participants must be at least 16 years old.
