VHF Radio Course (August 19th)

To be awarded the SRC, students must be able to:

A. Distress situations

1. Define a distress situation.
2. Initiate a DSC Distress Alert, with position and time input manually or automatically.
3. Send a Mayday call and message by voice.
4. Respond appropriately to a DSC Distress Alert and to a Mayday call and message,including relay of a distress message.
5. Know how to deploy an EPIRB and a SART.
6. Know the procedure for cancellation of a distress message sent in error.

B. Urgency Situations

1. Define an urgency situation.
2. Initiate a DSC urgency alert.
3. Send an urgency message by voice.
4. Respond appropriately to an urgency message.

C. Safety Situations

1. Identify a situation in which a safety message is appropriate.
2. Input a DSC safety alert.
3. Send a safety message by voice.
4. Receive Maritime Safety Information by NAVTEX.

D. Routine Communication

1. Initiate a routine call using DSC.
2. Establish communication and exchange messages with other stations by voice on appropriate channels.
3. Test the radiotelephone by means of an appropriate test call.
4. Enter a DSC group and Individual MMSI.
5. Maintain an appropriate listening watch on DSC and voice channels.
6. Use the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Some paper and a pen for taking notes.

The copy of the G31 or e-G31 RYA VHF Handbook that we supply. We post or email this to you about 5 days before the course.

What did you like most about about your course? Well-defined and beautifully balanced act between people, didactics and technology. Combo is rarely achieved successfully but it hits the bull's eye! How would you rate the support you received during your course on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent? 5 no doubt. From the first feedback onwards it's guaranteed you are not alone! I like the way anecdotes and facts are sprinkled occasionally alongside the syllabus, like recent ship wrecks in the Channel, etc. This certainly makes reading more interesting as text books tend to be somewhat drier. Please use any occasion to exploit that approach. That enriches the reader immensely as it is first-hand knowledge in its purest form, and that is certainly difficult to obtain anywhere else. Well done. "

"The Instructor was an excellent coach and really took the time with our class to ensure we all understood all aspects of the course. He was patient and prepared to take the time to ensure we all had the best knowledge transferred to us. He was an excellent instructor and had a significant amount of detailed knowledge that was most helpful to me and the rest of the class. He is passionate and fully committed to his work and goes above and beyond to ensure you are capable and have a really enjoyable experience learning with him. First Class Sailing are well organised and the logistics, course material and facilities were all top notch "

"First Class Sailing should be your only choice for embarking on any theoretical or practical learning experience you may require. Regardless of previous experience it is defiantly No1. Choice for getting the best start around your sailing experience requirements. "

"An excellent outfit, well equipped with good boats and brilliant instructors, that is small enough to give a warm personal service but big enough to cope with the full gamut of yachting experiences"

"I am no longer scared of the engine, touching bolts etc."

"Excellent instructor - gave freely of his experience - very dedicated and enormously helpful."

"Professional and effective. Good equipment, taught by knowledgable and enthusiastic professionals."

"The instructor was the perfect balance of show and tell mixed with letting you make your own mistakes safely. (The booking process) was all very professional and friendly. I felt the booking official actually cared about getting my booking right. Friendly, personalised, professional with out being officious. "

"Excellent and I highly recommend to take any of First Class Sailing's courses"

"Best Sailing School in the UK!"

"Don't choose courses on basis of price. All courses are not the same. Both First Class Sailing Theory and Practical courses are 'First Class'."

"Great practical use of equipment. Good class size. Relaxed. "

"Good clear explanations and pragmatic approach, was very easy to follow. Excellent instructor."

"Hands on, excellent instructor. Very professional, excellent course, 1st Class Service. "

"Clear and focused on practical needs. "

"Concise, covered all relevant and necessary material without unneeded extra time. Instructor was friendly, informative and extremely competent. "

"Good level of detail and experience from instructor. "

"Good entertaining tuition. Lots of anecdotes to make it interesting, great practical experience."

"The booking was well handled and the confirmation emails received speedily. Very helpful to receive pre course notes. Professional, helpful, good value. "

"Friendly informative courses delivered in a relaxed environment by knowledgeable instructors. "