RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) Radio Operator Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: How is the number '9' correctly pronounced in phonetic radio communications?

Neun
Nove
Niner (Correct answer)
Nine

Correct answer: Niner

In marine radio, '9' is always pronounced 'Niner' to avoid confusion with the German word 'nein' meaning no.

Question 2: On which channel should a MAYDAY voice call be made?

Channel 67
Channel 06
Channel 16 (Correct answer)
Channel 70

Correct answer: Channel 16

All MAYDAY voice calls must be made on Channel 16, the international distress, safety, and calling frequency that all vessels must monitor continuously.

Question 3: What is the purpose of NAVTEX in the GMDSS framework?

To provide voice distress communications for ships at sea
To automatically broadcast navigational warnings, weather forecasts and MSI to ships (Correct answer)
To track vessel positions using satellite technology
To relay DSC distress alerts to rescue coordination centres

Correct answer: To automatically broadcast navigational warnings, weather forecasts and MSI to ships

NAVTEX is an automated telex broadcast system that delivers Maritime Safety Information (MSI), including navigational warnings and weather forecasts, directly to a shipboard printer or screen.

Question 4: What is the correct procedure if you hear a MAYDAY on Channel 16 but cannot render assistance?

Immediately contact the vessel to tell them you cannot help
Transmit your own PAN PAN to alert others
Listen and maintain radio silence unless you can assist or relay (Correct answer)
Switch to Channel 70 and send a DSC relay alert

Correct answer: Listen and maintain radio silence unless you can assist or relay

If you hear a MAYDAY but cannot assist, you must maintain silence on Channel 16 and listen. Speaking unnecessarily would interfere with distress communications. Only relay the message if it appears no coast station has acknowledged.

Question 5: Can an operator charge for radio services on a recreational vessel?

Yes, with an Ofcom commercial licence
No, recreational vessel operators cannot charge for radio communications services (Correct answer)
Yes, if they hold the LRC (Long Range Certificate)
Yes, for emergency communications only

Correct answer: No, recreational vessel operators cannot charge for radio communications services

Recreational vessel operators cannot charge for communications services. Commercial communications services require separate licensing. The Ship Radio Licence covers private non-commercial use of the radio.

Question 6: What does 'SEELONCE FEENEE' signal?

A new distress situation has been declared
The distress situation is over and normal communications may resume (Correct answer)
The vessel has been found and is safe
Radio silence must be maintained

Correct answer: The distress situation is over and normal communications may resume

SEELONCE FEENEE (from French 'silence fini') is transmitted by the coordinating station to indicate the distress is resolved and normal radio communications may resume on Channel 16.

Question 7: On which VHF channel are DSC calls transmitted?

Channel 16
Channel 6
Channel 13
Channel 70 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Channel 70

All VHF DSC calls are transmitted and received on Channel 70 (156.525 MHz). This channel is dedicated exclusively to DSC traffic and should never be used for voice communications.

Question 8: In what order of priority are Mayday, Pan Pan, and Securite calls ranked?

Securite, Pan Pan, Mayday
They have equal priority
Pan Pan, Mayday, Securite
Mayday (distress), Pan Pan (urgency), Securite (safety) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mayday (distress), Pan Pan (urgency), Securite (safety)

The priority order is: Mayday (highest — distress/immediate danger), Pan Pan (urgency — serious concern), Securite (safety — navigational or meteorological warnings). Mayday takes absolute priority.

Question 9: What is a DSC individual call used for?

Broadcasting to all vessels in the area
Testing the DSC controller
Sending a distress alert to the coastguard
Calling a specific vessel or coast station by their MMSI number (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Calling a specific vessel or coast station by their MMSI number

A DSC individual call allows you to contact a specific vessel or coast station directly by entering their unique MMSI number, similar to dialling a telephone number.

Question 10: What types of DSC call can be made on a VHF radio?

Only routine calls
Only distress calls
Only calls to coast stations
Distress, urgency, safety, routine, and group calls (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Distress, urgency, safety, routine, and group calls

DSC supports multiple call types: distress alerts, urgency calls, safety calls, routine individual calls (to a specific MMSI), and group calls (to a fleet or group of vessels).

Question 11: What MCA regulation covers the requirement for recreational vessels to carry radio equipment?

All recreational vessels must carry VHF by law
MCA has no jurisdiction over vessels under 24 metres
The Merchant Shipping (Radio) Regulations recommend but do not mandate VHF for recreational vessels; SOLAS applies to commercial vessels (Correct answer)
VHF is mandatory only for vessels over 10 metres

Correct answer: The Merchant Shipping (Radio) Regulations recommend but do not mandate VHF for recreational vessels; SOLAS applies to commercial vessels

For recreational vessels in UK waters, VHF radio is strongly recommended but not legally mandatory under MCA regulations (SOLAS applies only to commercial vessels). However, insurance and practical safety strongly necessitate carrying one.

Question 12: What is the purpose of maintaining a radio log on a commercial vessel?

To record all distress, safety, and urgent transmissions for legal and safety purposes (Correct answer)
To log all routine communications for billing purposes
To record weather observations for the Met Office
To track channel usage for Ofcom reporting

Correct answer: To record all distress, safety, and urgent transmissions for legal and safety purposes

Commercial vessels are required to maintain a radio log recording all distress, safety, and urgency traffic. This provides a legal record and helps with accident investigation and SAR debrief.

Question 13: Which international body is responsible for allocating VHF marine radio channels?

RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency)
IMO (International Maritime Organization)
ITU (International Telecommunication Union) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

The ITU allocates and regulates the use of the radio frequency spectrum, including marine VHF channels, internationally.

Question 14: Which DSC call category is used for urgent safety information such as navigational hazards?

Routine
Distress
Safety (Correct answer)
Urgency

Correct answer: Safety

The Safety category in DSC is used for navigational and meteorological hazards. It is the lowest priority category but still alerts all vessels to important safety information.

Question 15: Under SOLAS, the battery of a float-free EPIRB must be replaced or recharged when:

The unit is older than 10 years
The battery expiry date has passed or the unit has been activated for more than one hour (Correct answer)
The EPIRB has been dropped in water
The unit has failed two consecutive self-tests

Correct answer: The battery expiry date has passed or the unit has been activated for more than one hour

SOLAS requires the battery to be replaced or recharged by the marked expiry date or after cumulative activation exceeds one hour, whichever comes first.

Question 16: What happens to a vessel's MMSI when the Ship Radio Licence expires?

The MMSI is immediately cancelled and reassigned
The MMSI is automatically renewed
The licence should be renewed before expiry to maintain the active MMSI record; expired licences mean the MMSI may not be on active SAR databases (Correct answer)
The MMSI remains valid for 12 months after expiry

Correct answer: The licence should be renewed before expiry to maintain the active MMSI record; expired licences mean the MMSI may not be on active SAR databases

Allowing a Ship Radio Licence to expire means the vessel's MMSI record may not be on active SAR databases. Operators should renew annually to ensure the database record is current and valid for emergency use.

Question 17: Under what circumstances may a ship station transmit without a licence?

When operating within 3 nautical miles of shore
Never; unlicensed transmission is always prohibited
When the owner is aboard
In genuine distress situations only (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In genuine distress situations only

In genuine distress situations, the urgency of saving life overrides normal licensing requirements.

Question 18: What is the minimum information required on a Ofcom Ship Radio Licence application?

Owner name and MMSI request only
Vessel name, type, length, owner name and address, and proposed radio equipment (Correct answer)
Only the vessel name and owner name
Vessel registration number and insurance details

Correct answer: Vessel name, type, length, owner name and address, and proposed radio equipment

An Ofcom Ship Radio Licence application requires vessel name, type, length overall, owner's name and address, home port, and details of the radio equipment to be licensed. This information forms the MMSI database record.

Question 19: What action must be taken if a Ship Radio Licence is lost or stolen?

Contact the RYA for a duplicate
Cease all radio operations immediately and permanently
Report to the police and apply to Ofcom for a replacement (Correct answer)
Continue operating until the renewal date

Correct answer: Report to the police and apply to Ofcom for a replacement

A lost or stolen Ship Radio Licence should be reported to the police and a replacement licence requested from Ofcom.

Question 20: What is VHF Channel 70 exclusively reserved for?

Port operations
Voice distress calls
Intership communications
Digital Selective Calling (DSC) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Channel 70 is exclusively reserved for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and must not be used for voice communications.

Question 21: What does an MMSI number identify in DSC communications?

The vessel's GPS position co-ordinates
The category of distress being reported
A specific vessel or coast station (Correct answer)
The VHF channel selected for the distress call

Correct answer: A specific vessel or coast station

An MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a specific vessel or coast radio station in DSC messages.

Question 22: How should a Category 1 EPIRB be stowed on a vessel?

In the engine room for quick crew access
Secured inside the wheelhouse at all times
In a float-free bracket on the vessel's exterior so it can self-deploy (Correct answer)
In a waterproof box stored below decks

Correct answer: In a float-free bracket on the vessel's exterior so it can self-deploy

A Category 1 EPIRB must be mounted in a float-free bracket on the exterior of the vessel so it can automatically release and activate if the vessel sinks.

Question 23: A DSC controller with a built-in GPS will automatically include what information in a distress alert?

Engine type and vessel length
Vessel name and port of registry
Crew number and cargo type
Position and UTC time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Position and UTC time

When interfaced with GPS, a DSC controller automatically inserts the vessel's current position and the UTC time of that position into the distress alert.

Question 24: What signal is transmitted to indicate a distress call has been received and that a vessel is complying with radio silence?

PAN PAN ALL STATIONS on Ch 16
ALL STATIONS SILENCE on Ch 16
SEELONCE MAYDAY spoken once on Ch 16 (Correct answer)
SEELONCE DISTRESS spoken once on Ch 16

Correct answer: SEELONCE MAYDAY spoken once on Ch 16

Any station that receives a MAYDAY can impose silence on other stations by transmitting 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' on Ch 16.

Question 25: For a vessel approaching a UK port, which channel should they call first?

Always Channel 16
The port's designated working channel (found in almanac or pilot) (Correct answer)
Always Channel 80
Always Channel 12

Correct answer: The port's designated working channel (found in almanac or pilot)

Vessels approaching a port should call on the port's designated working channel, which is listed in almanacs, pilot books, and chart folios. Channel 16 may be used if the port's channel is not known.

Question 26: What is a 'float-free EPIRB' designed to do?

Record the voyage log
Remain attached to the vessel at all times
Float alongside the vessel as a fender
Automatically release from its mounting bracket and activate if the vessel sinks, transmitting a distress signal via satellite (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Automatically release from its mounting bracket and activate if the vessel sinks, transmitting a distress signal via satellite

A float-free EPIRB is mounted in a hydrostatic release unit that automatically releases the EPIRB if the vessel sinks below a certain depth (typically 1.5-4m). It then activates and transmits a distress signal via the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.

Question 27: What information is most critical to include in a MAYDAY message?

Departure port and ETA
Owner's home address
Position of the vessel (Correct answer)
Vessel's registration number

Correct answer: Position of the vessel

Position is the most critical piece of information in a MAYDAY message because without knowing where the vessel is, rescue services cannot reach it. All other information is secondary to accurate position.

Question 28: What GMDSS sea area covers coastal waters typically within 20–50 nm of a shore-based DSC VHF coast station?

Sea Area A3
Sea Area A1 (Correct answer)
Sea Area A2
Sea Area A4

Correct answer: Sea Area A1

Sea Area A1 is defined as an area within radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station providing continuous DSC alerting, generally within about 20–50 nm of the coast.

Question 29: What VHF channel is commonly used for ship-to-ship safety communications in UK waters?

Channel 6
Channel 72 (Correct answer)
Channel 13
Channel 16

Correct answer: Channel 72

Channel 6 is the primary intership safety channel. It is used for safety-related communications between vessels, separate from Channel 16 which is the distress and calling channel.

RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) Radio Operator Exam

The RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required by law to use VHF marine radio in UK waters and is recognised internationally. The exam is administered by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and covers VHF radio procedures, GMDSS, DSC operations, distress and urgency calls, MAYDAY procedures, phonetic alphabet, prowords, MMSI numbers, MCA regulations, and radio operator responsibilities. The practical and written assessments must be passed at an RYA-approved training centre.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

75%

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