Introduction

1.0 Learning objectives

1.1 A brief history of Maritime VHF radio

1.2 Why have a VHF radio on board?

1.3 What you get with VHF radio

1.4 What is VHF – and how is it used?

1.5 How does it work?

1.6 DSC – distress alerting at the press of a button

1.7 What is VHF used for?

1.8 How is VHF used in practice?

1.9 Who benefits from VHF radio?

1.10 VHF vs. Mobile phone

1.11 Types of VHF radios

1.12 Important functions

1.13 The four priorities of maritime radio communication

1.14 Summary

1 – Getting started with VHF – Knowledge Check

Simulator Exercise 1-A: Getting to know your radio

Simulator Exercise 1-B: Your first radio check

3.0 Learning objectives

3.1 How to use a VHF radio

3.2 Speaking clearly on a VHF radio

3.3 How to communicate

3.4 Ship-to-ship call

3.5 Calling a Coast Radio Station

3.6 Telephone call to shore via a Coast Radio Station

3.7 Testing your VHF radio

3.8 Radio check with a coast radio station

3.9 Monitoring

3.10 Summary

3 – Practical VHF procedures – Knowledge Check

Simulator Exercise 3-A: Ship-to-ship call

Simulator Exercise 3-B: Calling a Coast Radio Station

Simulator Exercise 3-C: Link call – telephone call through a coast station

Simulator Exercise 3-D: Radio check with a coast radio station

Simulator Exercise 3-E: Speaking clearly under load

4.0 Learning objectives

4.1 Understanding VHF range in practice

4.2 The antenna – the key to VHF range

4.3 Batteries – power when you need it the most

4.4 DSC – explained simply

4.5 The vessel’s identity

4.6 GMDSS

4.7 Who assists you?

4.8 Portable emergency radio equipment – when everything else fails

4.9 Maritime safety information (MSI)

4.10 Summary

4 – How it works – Knowledge Check

Simulator Exercise 4-A: DSC distress alert and your vessel identity

Simulator Exercise 4-B: Receiving maritime safety information

Simulator Exercise 4-C: Handheld VHF from the liferaft

5.0 Learning objectives

5.1 Confidentiality pledge for the use of VHF radio

5.2 Licence and certificate

5.3 Labelling and signage on board

5.4 Permitted radio equipment on board

5.5 Improper use of VHF radio

5.6 Consequences of breaching the regulations

5.7 Use of VHF radio abroad

5.8 Documents and publications carried on board

5.9 Watchkeeping on channel 16 and channel 70

5.10 Summary

5 – Rules & Regulations – Knowledge Check

6.1 Pre-departure checklist

6.2 At sea

6.3 The phonetic alphabet

6.4 Phonetic numerals

6.5 VHF communication requirements

6.6 Abbreviations

6.7 VHF channels (ship-to-ship, simplex)

6 – Appendices – Knowledge Check

Final Course Assessment

Final Course Assessment – Simulator Exercise 7-A: Full mission – distress from alert to Seelonce Feenee

Full VHF Simulator