SRC Marine Radio (VHF) Online
The RYA-issued Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required to operate a marine VHF/DSC radio and is issued on the authority of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.
If you have a boat fitted with a marine VHF radio or use a hand-held device, knowing how to use it properly could be vital in an emergency.
Why do I need an SRC?
A marine VHF radio is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on board. It allows you to communicate with:
- Coastguard and other emergency services
- Rescue services and other vessels
- Marinas, harbours and lock authorities
- Other boats in your area
The SRC Marine Radio Certificate gives you the knowledge and confidence to use the radio correctly, understand the appropriate channels and procedures, and make emergency, urgency and safety calls when required.
Complete the course online
Complete your SRC Marine Radio (VHF) training online, at your own pace, with support from our instructor when you need it. The course takes approximately 10 hours, and once you’ve completed your online learning, you can book an in-person RYA SRC assessment at our RYA Recognised Training Centre in Dover to gain your certificate.
- Around 10 hours of online learning
- Study at your own pace
- Remote instructor support available
- Minimum age: 16
- In-person assessment in Dover
Online Course costs:
Online Course Access £69.00. Valid for 1 year from the start of your course, includes the RYA VHF Handbook (Ebook) and your in-person assessment at Dover Sea Sports Centre.
RYA examination fee is £76.00 (2026), paid directly to the RYA.
To book your online course, please drop us a line and we will send you the booking link and details on how to get started!
Assessments
When you have completed the online course, contact us to book your in-person RYA SRC assessment at our RYA Recognised Training Centre at Dover Sea Sports Centre.
You will need to pay the RYA examination fee BEFORE your Assessment. Payment is made directly to the RYA.
On the day of your assessment, you’ll have time to practise using real marine VHF equipment and familiarise yourself with the procedures.
The assessment includes:
- Written theory
- Practical VHF radio assessment
After the exam, the assessor will send your results to the RYA and you will receive your certificate in the post in a few weeks.
Already completed your online course elsewhere?
You can also book your assessment with us if you have completed an eligible RYA SRC online course through another RYA Recognised Training Centre.
Cinque Ports Sailing Centre fee - £40 .00
You will need to pay the RYA examination fee BEFORE your Assessment. Payment is made directly to the RYA.
You’ll still have time to practise on our VHF equipment before your assessment.
Important Information About The Online Course
To enable access to your online course we need to share some of your personal data with the RYA via your user profile in www.ryainteractive.org. This learning management website is hosted and maintained by a third party called Rise Up, who will not use your personal information for any reason other than enabling your course.
- Your name and email address will be entered on www.ryainteractive.org in order to create your user account. On your first access to the site, you will be asked to enter your address and date of birth. You will have access to the site for one year in order to complete your online course. During this period, your personal information will be held on the website by Rise Up and be available to this training centre and the RYA for the purpose of managing your course.
- Instructional support will be provided by this training centre (Cinque Ports Sailing) for a period of 1 year from the date of your course booking.
- On completion of your course, your name, email, date of birth and address will be transferred to the RYA's central database for the purpose of recording details of the course and any certification you gain as a result of it. This information allows the RYA to record your certification, to update any records they may already hold about you or your qualifications and to verify your certificate if required.
- After one year from the date of your enrolment on a course, your user account will be removed from www.ryainteractive.org.
- Full details of how the RYA will deal with your personal information will be displayed when you first access www.ryainteractive.org.
- For the duration of your access to the site, your data will be held in accordance with the RYA Interactive Data Policy, Terms and Conditions.
- If you receive a digital certificate downloaded from the RYA Interactive site on completion of your course, your name, address, date of birth and certificate details will be transferred to the RYA database and held in accordance with the RYA’s Privacy Policy.
