This page is specifically for Sailing Clubs who have pre-arranged for their members to book the online VHF course through us.
The VHF online course is for anyone who owns or uses a fixed or handheld radio. The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio. This includes both fixed and handheld equipment using international channels. A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand correct procedures. This course is a pre-requisite to Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore and Advanced Powerboat Examinations.
EXAM
To gain the certificate, you must complete the exam. The RYA exam fee is £70 and payable online through the RYA website. Exams can be arranged either at your sailing club if there are enough people to examine together, or at our training base at Turnchapel Wharf, Plymouth.
Price: Reduced rate of £60 (plus £70 exam fee paid to RYA)
Previous Experience: None
Assumed Knowledge: None
Duration: At your own pace
Course Content
- Basics of Radio Operation
- Correct Frequencies (Channels) to be used
- Distress, Emergency & Medical Assistance Procedures
- DSC
- GMDSS
- EPIRB
- Search & Rescue
What's Included:
- Personal login and access to the RYA Interactive site
- RYA VHF/SRC handbook in either e-book format*
- Unlimited phone/email support from us
*Please note a paperback copy of the book can be provided instead, to be either collected from us at no extra cost, or posted for an additional £5 postage/packaging fee.
EXAM FEE IS NOT INCLUDED
When you register with us online, you will be issued with a login, a password and a link to the course on the RYA Interactive website. It is suitable for both Windows and Mac. The course takes between 8-10 hours to complete online. We are just an email or phone call away to answer any queries you may have. Once you have completed the course you need to take the classroom based exam, which can be done by contacting us to arrange a suitable time. We can provide up to an hour's extra tuition using our simulators prior to the exam. There is an additional exam fee of £70 made payable to the RYA.
RYA Interactive Course Access Details
To enable access to your online course we need to share some of your personal data with the RYA via your user profile in RYA Interactive. This learning management website is hosted and maintained by a third party called Learning Pool, who will not use your personal information for any reason other than enabling your course.
Your name and email address will be entered on RYA Interactive in order to create your user account. On your first access to the site, you will be asked to enter your address and date of birth. You will have access to the site for one year in order to complete your online course. During this period, your personal information will be held on the website Learning Pool and be available to this training centre and the RYA for the purpose of managing your course.
Instructional support will be provided by this training centre for the duration of your course booking.
On completion of your course, your name, email address, date of birth and address will be transferred to the RYA's central database for the purpose of recording details of the course and any certification you gain as a result of it. This information allows the RYA to record your certification, to update any records they may already hold about you or your qualifications and to verify your certificate if required. After one year from the date of your enrolment on the course you user account will be removed from RYA Interactive.
Full details of how the RYA will deal with your personal information will be displayed when you first access RYA Interactive.