Anyone wishing to skipper a yacht at sea, whether as an owner or charter sailor, requires a radio operating licence with limited validity if the yacht carries a VHF radio - i.e. de facto always on larger yachts. The radio licence is commonly known under the international designation "Short Range Certificate" (SRC).
The licence is internationally valid and entitles the holder to participate in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and VHF radiotelephony at sea. It is therefore essential for communication between ships at sea and with organisations on land. Unlike in the past, it is no longer sufficient for just one crew member on board to be in possession of the licence.
Around 5,300 applicants take the Short Range Certificate exam every year with an examination board of the German Sailing Association (DSV). The failure rate shows that the crux of the matter lies primarily in the practical part of the exam: the average failure rate in the theoretical part is 3.5 per cent and in the practical part nine per cent.
Obtaining the licence is certainly not rocket science, it just involves investing some time in learning theory and practice. The winter half-year, when the ships are ashore, is therefore the ideal time for this. Ideally, you should even start learning in autumn so that you can take the exam in spring at the latest and then consolidate your theoretical knowledge on the water.
We have tested which learning software and apps are suitable for self-taught preparation for the radio exam and can be a good support for the classroom course at the sports boat school. Also: which apps are available for cramming the questionnaires and what additional functions they offer.
