The Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the radio operator qualification, which authorises the holder to operate a VHF Radiotelephone with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on board any British vessel, which is voluntarily fitted with radio equipment.

By law, the vessel requires a ship’s radio licence and its use to be under the supervision of a person holding a SRC with authority to operate the equipment. Knowing the rules and protocols avoids chaos over the airwaves.

The DSC facility found on modern marine VHF radios allows those on small boats to take advantage of that part of the system when making distress, urgent, safety as well as routine calls.

Run over one day, the course covers …
Basic controls on VHF radio equipment
Rules and procedures
Digital Selective Calling
GMDSS
Distress calling
Urgency and Safety calling
Routine calls

Computer simulation combined with Icom and Standard Horizon radio simulators provide plenty of ‘hands on’ activity and confidence building. There are practical exercises as well as a short written/oral assessment to be completed at the end of the course.