GMDSS COURSES
There are four separate marine radio courses in the UK and Europe. Anyone who is 16 or over can take any of the four courses, there is no requirement to hold one certificate before taking a higher level courser (however if you hold the SRC and have some experience of putting it into practice, you can take the 3-day LRC course with us instead of the full 4 day LRC course.
- SRC – Short Range Certificate
- LRC – Long Range Certificate
- ROC – Restricted Operator’s Certificate
- GOC – General Operator’s Certificate
The table below identifies which GMDSS course is most appropriate for you.
| Operating within VHF Range (up to about 50 miles) of a shore station, (Sea Area A1) | Operating in all waters, (Sea Areas A1-A4) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vessels under 24m | RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) 1-day course which is limited to VHF only operation. | Long Range Certificate (LRC) 3 or 4-day course allows operation of all marine radio equipment (VHF, MF & HF) |
| Vessels of 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 i 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 agree a time for the face to face exam (which can only be take in person). 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 3-day course includes an exam.
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 and some commercial vessels under 24m. It can be use by anyone as an alternative to the SRC.
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 longer course is required by vessels over 24m and some commercial vessels under 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 | X | X | X | X |
| Navtex | X | X | X | X |
| SART | X | X | X | X |
| EPIRB | X | X | X | X |
| Voice Procedures | X | X | X | X |
| VHF inc. DSC (short range radio) | X | X | X | X |
| MF inc. DSC (medium range radio) | X | X | ||
| HF inc. DSC (long range radio) | X | X | ||
| Acknowledging distress alerts | X | X | ||
| Using a backup power supply | X | X | ||
| Battery Maintenance | X | X | X | |
| Testing fuses | X | X | ||
| Inmarsat | X | |||
| Telex | X | |||
| ALRS | X |
