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Marine Radio - Short Range Certificate - GMDSS
This is another interactive course that is now online for
anyone who owns a fixed or handheld marine VHF radio. A
radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and
it is vital to understand the correct procedures. Unnecessary
transmissions could block out a emergency distress calls
with serious consequences. You need to know how to use
the radio properly and legally.
The interactive course provides you with lots of opportunity
to make calls using the supplied radio simulator that works
on your computer with your microphone and headphones or
loudspeaker. Your messages together with the coastguard or
other vessels replies are brought together and you can play
back the whole sequence and listen to the conversation so
that you can improve your “radio technique”.
It also includes mini videos to watch whilst you take part in
the interactive learning sessions. At the end of the course
you can take a knowledge test and print out the result sheet
which enables you to attend a face-to-face examination and
get your full radio licence.
The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification
required by law to control the operation of VHF and
VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on most
worldwide and every British flagged vessel fitted with a
radio. This includes both fixed and hand held equipment
using International channels.
If you have the ‘old style’ VHF licence (pre-1999) you
need to upgrade your qualification if you purchase or use
new equipment as they are either fitted with, or can be
interfaced, with DSC, allowing calls to specific vessels.The course topics include:- the basics of radio operation
- the correct frequencies (channels) to be used
- distress, emergency and medical assistance procedures
- making ship to shore telephone calls
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC) using simulators
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
- Search and Rescue (SART)
Conclusion
Both these online interactive courses allow you to study in
your own time at pace that suits you. You can start and sto p
as you wish and if you are travelling, the course can come
with you. The RYA and Coastal Safety now have a solution
that allows busy expats working in the UAE and MINA region
to get some training completed, whilst progressing through
the ranks to be a safe and competent sailor for commercial
or recreational enjoyment. On the website you can watch
introductory videos and even download a fully operational
taster session to try out the radio course before you buy.
http://www.coastalsafety.com