VHF Marine Radio Short Range Certificate

VHF (Very High Frequency) radios are a fundamental tool for marine communication, offering a crucial connection between boats and shore-based services such as coastguard and harbour authorities. A VHF radio can be used to send distress messages, warn vessels of potential hazards,  or receive safety information such as navigational warnings and weather forecast. Safety is the primary reason why many seafarers opt for VHF Marine Radio course, which results in obtaining a Short Range Certificate (SRC). 

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) requires all seafarers operating VHF radios on vessels equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) to hold a qualification, such as the SRC.

The fee includes access to the online course, a handbook, and SRC exam at Seascope France RYA Training Center. 

Contact us for exam dates prior booking the course.

Additional fee of 78 GBP for the SRC Exam Application is payable directly to the RYA.

What You Need To Know

• Place: Online & Golfe-Juan
• Pre-requisites: min 16 years old
• Duration: 8-10 hours online; approx. 1 h 30 min - exam.
• Price: 100 euros 
• Additional fee: 78 GBP Exam fee payable directly to the RYA

Upon completion of the online part, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which will be used to schedule your in-person exam. The exam report will be mailed to the Royal Yachting Association, and the RYA will take up to 21 days to issue your VHF license. The license is mailed to your address directly by the RYA. If you need your license urgently, you can use Fast Track option for an extra fee.

The exam fee is payable directly to the RYA. Please, click here for the payment options.

About The Course

Our VHF radio online course is very user-friendly and can be completed in about five hours. The course content includes:

• Types of equipment 
• Basics of radio operation
• Rules and regulations 
• Phonetic alphabet
• VHF channels
• Voice procedures: routine, distress, urgency and safety calls
• Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
• Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

After working through the training modules, students complete a pre-exam check and take a practical exam at Seascope France training center.

VHF Radio Short Range Certificate is a pre-requisite for many RYA training courses such as RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Preparation or RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Package. This course is also highly recommended for future deckhands.  

Assessment Dates

Upcoming assessment dates:

• 16 January 2026
• 13 March 2026

To schedule and assessment, you need to provide the following (email to training@seascopefrance.com): 

• Certificate of Completion 
• SRC Exam Application (emailed to you by RYA upon exam payment)
• A copy of your ID

If you need to schedule an assessment on a different date, please, contact us.  

FAQs

What is the SRC – Short Range Certificate?

The SRC (Short Range Certificate), or VHF certificate, is an internationally recognised qualification that allows you to legally operate a VHF marine radio.

It confirms that you understand:

• VHF radio procedures
• Distress, urgency, and safety communications
• Basic Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

The certificate is issued after successful completion of the VHF Marine Radio course and exam and is awarded by the RYA – Royal Yachting Association.

The RYA SRC is internationally recognised and valid for working on any vessel, making it suitable for both professional yacht crew and private boat owners worldwide.

How long do the VHF course and SRC exam take?

Depending on your reading speed, you can complete the online VHF course within 5-8 hours. The exam (VHF assessment) is conducted in-person only and takes around an hour and a half. 

What does SRC exam include?

The SRC (Short Range Certificate) exam assesses both theoretical knowledge and practical VHF radio skills to ensure candidates can communicate safely and correctly at sea.

The exam typically includes:

Written / theory assessment

• VHF radio procedures and correct channel use
• Distress, urgency, and safety communications (Mayday, Pan-Pan, Sécurité)
• Basic knowledge of DSC (Digital Selective Calling)
• International radio regulations relevant to yacht crew

Practical VHF assessment

• Making and responding to routine VHF calls
• Handling simulated emergency situations
• Correct use of a VHF radio with DSC functions

The exam is conducted by an RYA-approved assessor and follows the standards set by the RYA. Successful completion of the exam leads to the issue of the SRC certificate, which is internationally recognised and required for many crew working on yachts and other vessels.

What if I fail my VHF assessment? 

Failing VHF assessment (SRC exam) is rare but might happen. To pass the exam, we recommend that you score on the online Certificate of Completion is no less than 60%.

If you do not pass one section (theory or practical):

• You usually only need to re-sit the failed part.                                                                       The examiner will:
• Explain where improvements are needed.
• Advise on what to revise before the re-sit.

I have a different question! 

For any queries, do not hesitate to contact us!