|
 |
|
1) We've created a fun and informative course aimed not just at
powerboaters but those in yachts, kayaks, dinghies and indeed anything else
that floats 2) We run courses EVERY TWO WEEKS - and sometimes even more
often in busy periods 3) We have more training radios and training aids
than almost all other schools. Indeed we actually hire out our kit to other
schools for their courses. 3) Our courses cost from as little as £50*
* This course can cost from as
little as £50. If you are booking your VHF course alongside one of our
practical courses (eg Level 2 or Dayskipper) then you and those attending
with you receive a substantial discount. If you are booking a course for us
to visit your club or organisation then it is possible that the course could
cost even less per head. |
Our presentation has been created to be
hugely informative and our Instructors have years of real hands on
experience which they share with you during the course. |
|
 |
 |
|
"The
Short Range Certificate (‘SRC’) is the radio operator qualification which
authorises the holder to operate a VHF radiotelephone, fitted with Digital
Selective Calling (‘DSC’) on board any British vessel which is voluntarily
fitted with radio equipment.
" |
1 day
from 9am to 5pm.
In certain situations we are happy to run the course over two evenings but
this of course assumes a minimum number of attendees. If this is of
particular interest then please do call/email to discuss. |
|
 |
 |
|
The RYA 'rules' stipulate a maximum number of attendees of 12 however our
courses at our offices rarely run with more than 8 attendees and often less.
Of great value though is that whereas the RYA only ask that we supply one
VHF Training set per 3 attendees we run 8 radios meaning that you are far
more hands on than you would be with most courses.
At yacht clubs and other organisations requiring group training we
are happy to train in groups of twelve and are happy to travel throughout
the UK. We have run in-house courses for various government, military and
Fire & Rescue services during the last 12 months - contact us for a detailed
quote. |
None! We ask that in advance of the course you familiarise yourself with the
phonetic alphabet (we send this out in the joining instructions) and obtain
one passport sized photo that you bring with you however aside from that
there is nothing to do but turn up on the day. |
|
 |
|
The course appeals to a variety of people: 1) Those with their own
boats keen to ensure they are 'legal' but are also of course well versed in
all of the means of issuing a distress message from their vessel. whilst of
course the distress element is a key factor knowing which channels to use
and how to use the radio properly when out boating increases confidence and
enjoyment.
2) Those without a boat yet and keen to ensure they are acquiring the
right qualifications either because they intend buying or for when they are
chartering or hiring. The course is also a great way to enhance your
knowledge about boating generally and helps when deciding what radios to
buy.
3) Those who have boated a while and are perhaps are already using
their VHF but want to learn both how to use the radio to full effect and of
course also to be legal.
4) Kayakers and dinghy sailors are increasingly carrying personal hand
held VHFs and are very sensible to do so. We have welcomed a good number of
of kayakers and sailors to our courses - don't let our company name put you
off we love boating in all of its forms!
5) Sailing clubs, Fire & Rescue Services, Police Forces, Military units
and government bodies often ask us to come and train a group of their people
in-house. As we have a portable kit including 8 radios plus examples of
various EPIRBs, SARTs, PLBs etc so can ensure a really fun and informative
course even if we are not running the course in our classroom.
|
|
 |
 |
|
Throughout the year we run VHF courses every two weeks alternating between
Fridays and Saturdays.
If you are a commercial or governmental organisation, a yacht club or a group of people
then we can organise a course to suit you. We regularly run courses for
local sailing clubs, charities and Fire & Rescue units and are very happy to
visit your base/club/office.
Open our Calendar to find course dates - click the logo |
12
We are generally happy for a child over 12 to attend a course with their
parent/guardian on our boats at any time - please call to discuss. Children
over 16 can attend a normal course at any time but we must have the
parent/guardians specific permission - please call to discuss.
When the RYA issues the Operator's certificate for those under 16 it will
be endorsed. |
|
 |
|
Our aim with this course is to achieve the following:
- To ensure that you understand and have experience of issuing
distress alerts (maydays) by voice and using the red DSC (Distress
Selective Calling) button.
- To give you practical hands on experience of making calls on the
radio. We do this in a progressive way starting with scripted calls
between those on the course moving on to giving you scenarios that you
need to make a call from. We've found this method works really well to
help you get more confidence in the use of the radio exploring the various
ways you use the radio and the associated channel numbers to use.
- We're also as we go covering the syllabus ensuring that all of the
areas that the examination covers are addressed by the time we get to the
end of the afternoon.
We divide the day as follows:
The morning session will cover the practical operation of a standard
Marine VHF, Channel usage, Distress/Urgency/Safety and routine voice
procedures.
In the afternoon we go onto look at the GMDSS scheme, equipment used in
GMDSS i.e. EPIRBs, SARTS, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) NAVTEX, practical
use of DSC equipment.
At the end of the course there is a multiple choice examination. The
examination is straightforward and the subjects addressed in the exam are
all covered during the course itself.
 |
Course Requirements:
- Fluency in the phonetic alphabet.
- One passport photograph plus a cheque or credit card details for £25
(£30 from 1st April 2010) to the RYA for the issue of the Operators Certificate.
This is NOT free for RYA members.
|
Apart from these requirements, no previous knowledge is assumed.
We are unusual as a school as we run a considerable number of training
radios meaning that we are likely to have a radio identical or similar to
the one you will have in your boat. This also means that even on large
courses there will usually be a radio for each person. We have
radios from:
- Icom (M601/3, M505, M421)
- Navman
- Silva (now known as Nexus)
- Raymarine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
