Chieftain Training

RYA & STCW – Sail, Power, Super-Yacht & Workboat

GMDSS Radio Courses

GMDSS COURSES

There are four separate marine radio courses in the UK and Europe. Anyone (16 yrs and over) can take any of the four courses, there is no requirement to hold one certificate before taking a higher level courser (however we recommend you hold the 1-day SRC before progressing to the 4-day LRC course.

The table below identifies which GMDSS course is most appropriate for you.

Type of vessel Sea Area A1, within VHF Range (up to about 35 miles) of a shore station Sea Areas A1-A4, All waters
VOLUNTARY FIT VESSELS; Yachts under 24m, Workboats Under 24m, Fishing vessels under 24m, Cargo ships under 300 gt RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) 1-day course which is limited to VHF only operation. Long Range Certificate (LRC) 4-day course allows operation of all marine radio equipment, VHF and SSB (MF & HF) and to a higher standard
SOLAS VESSELS; Yachts over 24m
Workboats over 24m
Fishing vessels over 24m
Cargo ships over 300 gt
Passenger Ships (any size)
 Restricted Operator Certificate (ROC) 3-day course which is restricted to ships operating in GMDSS Sea Area A1. General Operator Certificate (GOC) 8-day course allows operation in all GMDSS Sea Areas (A1, A2, A3 & A4) of marine radio equipment (VHF, MF, HF & Inmarsat).

SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE -VHF

VHF (Very High Frequency) is the standard marine radio around the coastline. The RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) course can be taken online or in the classroom.

The course is followed by the RYA SRC Exam which is usually taken at our centre. If you book the classroom course there is no need to book the exam as it will follow at the end of the day. If you book the online course then we will need to agree a time for the face to face exam (which can only be take in person, not online). Most students take the exam at one of our centres in Southampton or Dumbarton but we have access to examiners across the globe.

LONG RANGE CERTIFICATE – VHF, MF /HF (SSB)

Medium Frequency and High Frequency sets, often know as Single Sideband (SSB) give the operator more range and are popular  for ocean cruising, blue water sailing and long distance passages. The LRC refreshes and builds on the content of the SRC.

If the vessel is fitted with SSB then there is a legal requirement for the operator to be trained and qualified in its use. The 4-day course includes the AMERC exam on the final day.

RESTRICTED OPERATOR CERTIFICATE – VHF

The ROC is basically the commercial seafarers equivalent of the SRC. Like the SRC course this longer courses focuses on VHF Radio. The longer course is required by SOLAS (foreign going) vessels over 24m. It can be use on any sized vessel as an alternative to the SRC.

GMDSS

GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE – VHF, MF /HF & Inmarsat

The GOC is basically the commercial seafarers equivalent of the LRC and sits above the other 3 courses. The GOC holder can  operate any marine radio on on any vessel, at sea  anywhere in the world. Like the LRC course this longer courses focuses on long range communication. The course is required by vessels over 24m. It can be used by anyone as an alternative to SRC, LRC or ROC. The 8-day course includes a 2.5 hour exam on the last day.

Content of the GMDSS Courses

SRC ROC LRC GOC
Overview of GMDSS ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Navtex ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
SART ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
EPIRB ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Voice Procedures ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Class D VHF inc. DSC (short range radio) ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Class A VHF inc. DSC (short range radio) ✅ ✅ ✅
MF inc. DSC (medium range radio) ✅ ✅
HF inc. DSC (long range radio) ✅ ✅
Acknowledging distress alerts ✅ ✅
Using a backup power supply ✅ ✅
Battery Maintenance ✅ ✅ ✅
Testing fuses ✅ ✅ ✅
Inmarsat ✅
Telex ✅
ALRS ✅ ✅
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