• A marine radio operator should be proficient in:
  • Operation on marine radio:-
    • VHF
    • SSB
    • Inmarsat
  • The correct frequencies (channels) to be used
  • Distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
  • Making ship to shore telephone calls
  • Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
  • Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
  • Search and Rescue (SART)
  • Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts -
    • Navtex

GMDSS radio course RYA VHF radio and GMDSS LRC course
www.yachtcom.co.uk

If you use a marine VHF radio onboard your yacht you are required, by law, to hold a marine radio operator’s certificate. This is a 1 day course, which on completion, you will be a competent radio operator and know the correct procedure for distress, urgency, safety by means of marine VHF DSC radio.

Marine VHF radio is the best way of summoning help, you can contact the coastguard up to 50 miles off-shore and talk to other yachts up to 15 to 20 miles on the open sea.

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.

VHF Update course
This half-day course is aimed at yachtsmen who hold a VHF restricted operator's certificate and wish to update it to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Short Range Certificate.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Long Range Certificate is a higher level certificate to the Short Range Certificate and allows you to operate on any marine MF/HF/VHF frequency/channel and Inmarsat satellite from on-board your yacht. We keep the technical stuff to a minimum and concentrate on the practical use of equipment. Knowledge of Morse code is not required.

The LRC examination consists of four parts as follows:-

1. Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) examination paper
2. Regulations Paper
3. Radiotelephone Communications(R/T) exercise simulating a Distress situation
4. Operation of Equipment

To pass the examination, you must pass each of the above parts.

The SOLAS exam consists of 11 questions. The pass mark is 75%.

The Regulations paper is a multiple choice type. . There are four answers provided for each of the 10 questions. To pass, candidates must correctly answer 6 questions.

The R/T exercise involves a number of candidates taking the role of ships at sea. The examiner takes the role of a ship in Distress. Candidates are required to use correct verbal and written procedures at appropriate times during the execution of the scenario. Pass mark is 75%.

During the Operation of equipment stage, the candidate is asked to perform a range of practical tasks on each piece of the equipment. The equipment includes MF/HF Transceiver, VHF Transceiver, DSC Controller, NAVTEX, SART, EPIRB and handheld VHF. The practical examination also covers more general topics on the testing of equipment, the care and maintenance of batteries and antenna installations. The pass mark is 70%.

Satellite Module
There is an additional (optional) Satellite Module which may be taken at the same time as the LRC, at no extra cost. Ask your course provider for details.
The format of the Satellite Module Exam is as follows:-

1. SOLAS paper. Five questions. Pass mark 60%
2. Radio Regulations & Inmarsat C Terminal Operation. Pass mark 70%

Distance Learning e-study
By using YachtCom's on-line distance learning you can study at home and then attend YachtCom for just 2 days including the exam.

GMDSS General Operators Certificate
GMDSS - Restricted Operators Certificate
Professional seafarers on vessels over 300 grt can develop their radio communications skills and understanding by attending a GOC or ROC course at Warsash Maritime Academy.

General Operator Certificate Examination Format
At present, the GOC examination consists of three parts as follows:-

1. General Knowledge written examination on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and Radio Regulations
2. Radiotelephone Communication (R/T) exercise simulating a Distress situation
3. Operation of Equipment

To pass the examination, you must pass each of the above parts.

The General Knowledge exam consists of three written questions and 15 multi-choice questions. Time allowed is 25 minutes. The pass mark is 75%.

The R/T exercise involves a number of candidates taking the role of ships at sea. The examiner takes the role of a ship in Distress. Candidates are required to use correct verbal and written procedures at appropriate times during the execution of the scenario. The pass mark for this part is 75%.

During the Operation of equipment stage, the candidate is asked to perform a range of practical tasks on each piece of the equipment. The equipment includes MF/HF Transceiver, VHF Transceiver, DSC Controller, NAVTEX, EPIRBs, and Inmarsat B, F77 and C systems. The practical examination also covers more general topics on the testing of equipment, the care and maintenance of batteries and antenna installations. The pass mark is 70%.