This is a one day course to give the operator an understanding of the VHF Marine radio including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

There is a short test paper which in combination with assessment throughout the day will enable the successful candidate to hold the Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony GMDSS Short Range Certificate and Authority to Operate.

Every craft afloat equipped with a Marine radio is required by law to have aboard someone with the appropriate Certificate of Competence and Authority to Operate. A necessary certificate for the skipper of any craft.

There are many types of marine radio and this course is for everyone using VHF, be it a hand held in a rib or a main instillation within a chart room.

Since the introduction of Digital Selective Calling which can be linked to a Global Positioning System to send a Mayday call with position there is a need for anyone installing this on their craft to update the original operator certificate to reflect the new equipment.

The course is broken down into several sections which give opportunity for discussion and questions, from the Instructor as well as the candidates!

There is a chance to look at and examine a couple of VHF’s and have a practise with a DSC VHF simulator. For those who have never used a VHF there is instruction on what to say and how to say it as well as what NOT to say and time to practise which will help the nerves when asked to make a call for real.

Hopefully by the end of an instructional day the candidate will be confident with how to operate a VHF and familiar with the various functions they can expect to find on a set.

At Cowes Sailing School our classroom is situated to the west of Cowes with a commanding view of the western Solent. We offer tuition in small groups and often offer one to one tuition which enables the course to be run around the pressures of your work, either in our classroom or we can come to you.

If you run a fleet of safety boats and require the drivers to be qualified we can also come to your Sailing club and teach a group of up to twelve for a full day.