RYA VHF GMDSS Radio Course
The RYA VHF GMDSS Radio Course is a crucial training program designed for anyone who needs to legally and effectively operate a marine VHF radio, especially one equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). This course ensures that boaters and maritime professionals are confident in using VHF radios for routine communication, safety, and emergency situations, and gives you a certificate to operate a Marine VHF Radio Set.
Prior Knowledge
This course is aimed at helping you to safely and knowledgeably use a VHF radio and be able to transmit a distress call in the event of an emergency.
The course will culminate in an external assessment for your full RYA VHF GMDSS Radio operator's certificate.
Prior to the course we recommend that you read our course notes and learn the phonetic alphabet. We will also get the RYA VHF GMDSS Book.
​You will also need to watch the VHF GMDSS Course pre learning video
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SRC GMDSS Updates
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DSC Distress Alert sent in error
If a DSC Distress Alert is sent inadvertently the advice is to switch off the set to prevent the alert being repeated automatically. However, some newer sets may have a dedicated function to cancel a Distress Alert. If available, this cancel function should be used as switching off and on might not cancel the distress on sets with a cancel function. In either instance, a voice message should be sent using high power on CH16 to "all stations" that cancels the distress alert. It is important that the MMSI number is included in the voice message so that the voice message is associated to the DSC alert.
Anybody who acts as the master of a vessel is advised to familiarise themself with their own radio equipment and to know what functionality is available.
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Distress Relay procedure
A change to the protocol for Distress Relay means that Digital Selective Calling (DSC) should no longer be used to initiate a Distress Relay voice call and message. Distress Relay should be made by voice only, targeted to a specific Coast Station using VHF CH 16.
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