RYA SRC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the RYA SRC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
RYA SRC exam key facts
📋 RYA SRC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 RYA SRC Topics to Study (65)
✍️ Sample RYA SRC Questions & Answers
1. What MCA certificate is required by the master of a UK passenger vessel?
UK passenger vessel masters must hold an MCA Certificate of Competency appropriate to the vessel's size and area of operation. The RYA qualifications are primarily for recreational vessels, while MCA certificates cover commercial passenger operations.
2. Which ITU region does the United Kingdom fall within for radio frequency allocations?
The UK and Europe fall within ITU Region 1, which governs radio frequency allocations for that area.
3. After announcing a SECURITE call on Channel 16, what should the operator do next?
After the initial SECURITE announcement on Channel 16 (including the vessel's name and MMSI), the operator states which working channel the traffic will be on (e.g., 'listen Channel 67'), then switches to that channel to deliver the full safety message.
4. Can a DSC distress alert be cancelled once transmitted?
A DSC distress alert can be cancelled by transmitting a DSC distress cancellation message on Channel 70, followed by a voice announcement on Channel 16 to prevent unnecessary SAR response.
5. What does MAYDAY originate from?
MAYDAY comes from the French phrase 'm'aidez' (or 'mayday' as a phonetic rendering of 'm'aider') meaning 'help me'. It was adopted internationally as the standard voice distress signal.
6. When can a Mayday call be cancelled?
The vessel that originated the Mayday (or the coast station coordinating) should cancel it when the emergency is over, using the proword 'SILENCE FINI' (pronounced 'SEE-LONCE FEE-NEE') to indicate the distress traffic is ended.
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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- rya.org.uk — Score release, eligibility, fees, exam format, registration deadline, test delivery · verified Oct 2026