VHF and DSC communications for recreational and professional mariners. This course prepares you for the SRC exam with lessons, quizzes and full access to the VHF simulator in training and exam modes. The course does not include the exam or the certificate itself.
Curriculum
- 9 Sections
- 93 Lessons
- 365 Days
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Introduction1
- 1 - Getting started with VHF18
- 2.11.0 Learning objectives
- 2.21.1 A brief history of Maritime VHF radio
- 2.31.2 Why have a VHF radio on board?
- 2.41.3 What you get with VHF radio
- 2.51.4 What is VHF – and how is it used?
- 2.61.5 How does it work?
- 2.71.6 DSC – distress alerting at the press of a button
- 2.81.7 What is VHF used for?
- 2.91.8 How is VHF used in practice?
- 2.101.9 Who benefits from VHF radio?
- 2.111.10 VHF vs. Mobile phone
- 2.121.11 Types of VHF radios
- 2.131.12 Important functions
- 2.141.13 The four priorities of maritime radio communication
- 2.151.14 Summary
- 2.161 – Getting started with VHF – Knowledge Check15 Questions
- 2.17Simulator Exercise 1-A: Getting to know your radio
- 2.18Simulator Exercise 1-B: Your first radio check
- 2 - When VHF really matters26
- 3.12.0 Learning objectives
- 3.22.1 Overview
- 3.32.2 DSC – Digital Selective Calling
- 3.42.3 Nature of distress
- 3.52.4 Distress – Mayday
- 3.62.5 Distress Procedure
- 3.72.6 Distress traffic and acknowledgement
- 3.82.7 Assistance message
- 3.92.8 Seelonce Mayday – Enforcing radio silence
- 3.102.9 Seelonce Feenee
- 3.112.10 Mayday Relay
- 3.122.11 Cancellation of a false distress alert
- 3.132.12 Urgency – Pan Pan
- 3.142.13 Urgency procedure
- 3.152.14 Safety – Securite
- 3.162.15 Safety procedure
- 3.172.16 Summary
- 3.182 – When VHF really matters – Knowledge Check24 Questions
- 3.19Simulator Exercise 2-A: MAYDAY – Fire on board
- 3.20Simulator Exercise 2-B: DSC alert followed by voice – taking on water
- 3.21Simulator Exercise 2-C: Acknowledging a distress message and offering assistance
- 3.22Simulator Exercise 2-D: MAYDAY RELAY
- 3.23Simulator Exercise 2-E: SEELONCE MAYDAY and SEELONCE FEENEE
- 3.24Simulator Exercise 2-F: Cancelling a false distress alert
- 3.25Simulator Exercise 2-G: PAN PAN – Medical emergency
- 3.26Simulator Exercise 2-H: SECURITE – Navigational warning
- 3 - Practical VHF procedures17
- 4.13.0 Learning objectives
- 4.23.1 How to use a VHF radio
- 4.33.2 Speaking clearly on a VHF radio
- 4.43.3 How to communicate
- 4.53.4 Ship-to-ship call
- 4.63.5 Calling a Coast Radio Station
- 4.73.6 Telephone call to shore via a Coast Radio Station
- 4.83.7 Testing your VHF radio
- 4.93.8 Radio check with a coast radio station
- 4.103.9 Monitoring
- 4.113.10 Summary
- 4.123 – Practical VHF procedures – Knowledge Check20 Questions
- 4.13Simulator Exercise 3-A: Ship-to-ship call
- 4.14Simulator Exercise 3-B: Calling a Coast Radio Station
- 4.15Simulator Exercise 3-C: Link call – telephone call through a coast station
- 4.16Simulator Exercise 3-D: Radio check with a coast radio station
- 4.17Simulator Exercise 3-E: Speaking clearly under load
- 4 - How it works15
- 5.14.0 Learning objectives
- 5.24.1 Understanding VHF range in practice
- 5.34.2 The antenna – the key to VHF range
- 5.44.3 Batteries – power when you need it the most
- 5.54.4 DSC – explained simply
- 5.64.5 The vessel’s identity
- 5.74.6 GMDSS
- 5.84.7 Who assists you?
- 5.94.8 Portable emergency radio equipment – when everything else fails
- 5.104.9 Maritime safety information (MSI)
- 5.114.10 Summary
- 5.124 – How it works – Knowledge Check20 Questions
- 5.13Simulator Exercise 4-A: DSC distress alert and your vessel identity
- 5.14Simulator Exercise 4-B: Receiving maritime safety information
- 5.15Simulator Exercise 4-C: Handheld VHF from the liferaft
- 5 - Rules & Regulations12
- 6.15.0 Learning objectives
- 6.25.1 Confidentiality pledge for the use of VHF radio
- 6.35.2 Licence and certificate
- 6.45.3 Labelling and signage on board
- 6.55.4 Permitted radio equipment on board
- 6.65.5 Improper use of VHF radio
- 6.75.6 Consequences of breaching the regulations
- 6.85.7 Use of VHF radio abroad
- 6.95.8 Documents and publications carried on board
- 6.105.9 Watchkeeping on channel 16 and channel 70
- 6.115.10 Summary
- 6.125 – Rules & Regulations – Knowledge Check25 Questions
- 6 - Appendices8
- Final Course Assessment2
- Full VHF Simulator1
Instructor
Robert Nilsen
Robert Nilsen is a maritime radio operator, educator and author based in Stavanger, Norway. He combines hands-on experience in coastal radio communications with a background in teaching, bringing a practical and accessible approach to maritime radio training.
As co-author of maritime radio textbooks and co-founder of GMDSS Training, Robert helps leisure boaters and professional seafarers understand both the procedures and the purpose behind them. His focus is on clear explanations, realistic scenarios and building confidence in using radio communication for safety at sea.
