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

Question 1: What information must be included in a vessel's Ship Radio Licence?

The vessel name, call sign, MMSI number, and details of the radio equipment on board (Correct answer)
The captain's favourite channel
The crew list
Only the vessel's name

Correct answer: The vessel name, call sign, MMSI number, and details of the radio equipment on board

A Ship Radio Licence (issued by Ofcom in the UK) includes the vessel name, call sign, MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number, and details of all radio equipment fitted.

Question 2: A vessel's Ship Radio Licence must be kept:

On board the vessel at all times (Correct answer)
At the owner's home address
Filed with the MCA
With the harbour master

Correct answer: On board the vessel at all times

The Ship Radio Licence is a legal document that must be kept on board the vessel at all times when the radio is in use.

Question 3: A DSC routine call is typically used for what purpose?

Testing the radio equipment
Sending distress alerts in non-emergency situations
Setting up a voice call on a working channel with another vessel (Correct answer)
Broadcasting to all vessels in the area

Correct answer: Setting up a voice call on a working channel with another vessel

A DSC routine call is used to establish contact with another vessel or station and agree a working channel for voice communication, similar to the process of a telephone call being connected.

Question 4: What is the phonetic alphabet word for 'K'?

King
Kenya
Knot
Kilo (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Kilo

In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the letter K is represented by 'Kilo'. This is also the SI prefix meaning one thousand and is universally recognised internationally.

Question 5: What is a 'portable ship station licence'?

A licence for vessels under 5 metres
A licence covering a hand-held VHF radio that may be used on different vessels (Correct answer)
A licence for radios used in harbour areas only
A temporary licence for race events

Correct answer: A licence covering a hand-held VHF radio that may be used on different vessels

A Portable Ship Station Licence covers a hand-held VHF radio that the owner may use on different vessels. This is useful for sailors who crew different boats but want to carry their own licensed radio.

Question 6: How should a DSC distress alert be acknowledged by a coast station compared to a ship station?

Both ships and coast stations acknowledge simultaneously on Channel 70
Ships acknowledge on Channel 16; coast stations acknowledge on Channel 70
Coast stations acknowledge on Channel 70; ships should NOT transmit a DSC acknowledgement and should listen on Channel 16 (Correct answer)
Ships should acknowledge immediately on Channel 70; coast stations should not

Correct answer: Coast stations acknowledge on Channel 70; ships should NOT transmit a DSC acknowledgement and should listen on Channel 16

In GMDSS, only coast stations should acknowledge DSC distress alerts digitally; ship stations must avoid transmitting DSC acknowledgements to prevent confusion and channel congestion.

Question 7: What is the correct procedure if you hear a MAYDAY call but the coast guard does not appear to have received it?

Transmit a MAYDAY RELAY on behalf of the vessel in distress (Correct answer)
Send a DSC urgency alert to the coastguard
Call the vessel directly on a working channel
Wait 5 minutes then retransmit the original MAYDAY

Correct answer: Transmit a MAYDAY RELAY on behalf of the vessel in distress

If the coastguard has not acknowledged the MAYDAY, any vessel that hears it should transmit a MAYDAY RELAY to alert rescue services.

Question 8: After sending a DSC distress alert, what should the operator do next?

Wait for an email response
Switch to Channel 16 and broadcast a Mayday voice message to provide full details of the distress (Correct answer)
Switch the radio off
Make a phone call to the marina

Correct answer: Switch to Channel 16 and broadcast a Mayday voice message to provide full details of the distress

After the DSC alert on Ch70, the radio should switch to Channel 16 where the operator must make a full Mayday voice call providing complete details including position, nature of distress, and assistance required.

Question 9: If your vessel is fitted with a DSC VHF radio but you are uncertain of your position, what should you do when sending a DSC distress alert?

Cancel the distress alert and call on Channel 16 voice only
Send the DSC alert with position fields left as 'no information' and follow up with a voice Mayday (Correct answer)
Wait until you can obtain a GPS fix before transmitting
Send the alert only if the DSC is linked to a GPS receiver

Correct answer: Send the DSC alert with position fields left as 'no information' and follow up with a voice Mayday

You should send the DSC alert immediately even without a position — use 'no information' in the position fields — then follow up with a voice Mayday on Channel 16 giving all available details.

Question 10: If your vessel is sinking, which action should be taken FIRST?

Abandon ship immediately
Signal with a torch to other vessels
Contact the marina by phone
Send a DSC distress alert then make a voice MAYDAY call (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Send a DSC distress alert then make a voice MAYDAY call

The immediate priority is to send a DSC distress alert on Channel 70 followed by a MAYDAY voice call on Channel 16. This ensures rescue services are alerted with position data as early as possible.

Question 11: What is the purpose of a SECURITE (pronounced 'securitay') call?

To warn other mariners of a navigational hazard or important meteorological warning (Correct answer)
To request urgent medical assistance for an injured crew member
To establish a working channel with HM Coastguard
To declare that a vessel is in grave and imminent danger

Correct answer: To warn other mariners of a navigational hazard or important meteorological warning

SECURITE is the lowest-priority of the three maritime emergency call prefixes and is used to broadcast safety information — such as floating debris, an unlit vessel, or a significant weather warning — that could endanger other mariners. It does not indicate danger to life on the transmitting vessel.

Question 12: What does 'OVER' mean at the end of a radio transmission?

I am switching to Channel 16
I have finished the conversation
Please repeat your last message
I have finished transmitting and am awaiting your reply (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I have finished transmitting and am awaiting your reply

'OVER' at the end of a transmission means the sender has finished speaking and is inviting the other party to respond. It indicates the radio is now in receive mode waiting for a reply.

Question 13: What happens when you press the dedicated 'DISTRESS' button on a DSC VHF radio?

It calls the police
It turns the radio off
It sends an automated distress alert on Channel 70 containing your MMSI, position, and nature of distress to all DSC-equipped stations (Correct answer)
It switches to Channel 16 only

Correct answer: It sends an automated distress alert on Channel 70 containing your MMSI, position, and nature of distress to all DSC-equipped stations

Pressing and holding the distress button transmits a DSC distress alert on Channel 70 to all stations. The alert includes your MMSI, position (from GPS), time, and nature of distress if programmed.

Question 14: What type of DSC call should be used to contact all vessels in an area?

Distress relay call
Individual call
Group call
All ships call (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All ships call

An all ships call (using the all ships MMSI 999999999) is used to contact all vessels simultaneously in an area, typically for safety announcements or urgent communications.

Question 15: What is the significance of the 'guard' function on a VHF radio?

It prevents unauthorised use of the radio
It allows simultaneous monitoring of Channel 16 and a working channel (Correct answer)
It activates the DSC distress button guard
It locks the radio to prevent accidental channel changes

Correct answer: It allows simultaneous monitoring of Channel 16 and a working channel

The dual-watch or guard function allows a VHF radio to simultaneously monitor Channel 16 (for distress calls) while the operator uses a working channel, ensuring distress calls are never missed.

Question 16: What does the proword 'OVER' signify at the end of a VHF radio transmission?

The speaker has finished their message and is awaiting a reply (Correct answer)
An emergency situation
The communication is finished
The channel is changing

Correct answer: The speaker has finished their message and is awaiting a reply

'OVER' indicates that the speaker has finished their transmission and is inviting the other station to reply. It signals the end of one party's turn to speak.

Question 17: After transmitting a DSC distress alert on Channel 70, on which channel should the subsequent voice MAYDAY call be made?

Channel 67
Channel 72
Channel 16 (Correct answer)
Channel 70

Correct answer: Channel 16

Following a DSC alert on Ch 70, the voice MAYDAY and all distress communications take place on Channel 16.

Question 18: When changing from Channel 16 to a working channel, what is the correct procedure?

Switch immediately without announcement
Ask the coastguard for permission to change channel
Only switch if the other vessel switches first
Acknowledge on Ch 16, confirm the working channel, then both vessels switch (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Acknowledge on Ch 16, confirm the working channel, then both vessels switch

Both parties should confirm the agreed working channel on Ch 16 before switching, ensuring no miscommunication.

Question 19: Which GMDSS equipment is required for vessels operating in Sea Area A1?

Only a satellite phone
A VHF radio with DSC capability (Channel 70), plus a NAVTEX receiver and EPIRB or alternative alerting device (Correct answer)
Only an EPIRB
No specific equipment is required

Correct answer: A VHF radio with DSC capability (Channel 70), plus a NAVTEX receiver and EPIRB or alternative alerting device

Sea Area A1 requires at minimum: a VHF DSC radio with Channel 70 watch receiver, means of receiving Maritime Safety Information (NAVTEX or Inmarsat), and a means of locating (SART or AIS-SART).

Question 20: What happens if you press the distress button on a DSC radio accidentally?

Leave the area to avoid embarrassment
Do nothing as false alarms are not serious
Switch off the radio immediately
Immediately cancel by transmitting a DSC cancellation and announcing on Channel 16 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Immediately cancel by transmitting a DSC cancellation and announcing on Channel 16

Accidental distress alerts must be cancelled immediately using the DSC cancellation procedure on Channel 70, then a voice announcement on Channel 16 explaining the false alarm, to prevent unnecessary SAR deployment.

Question 21: What are the consequences of operating a marine VHF without an SRC?

The vessel's insurance is automatically invalidated
The radio is confiscated immediately
A verbal warning only is issued
It is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act and can result in fines (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act and can result in fines

Operating a radio transmitter without the required operator licence is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, which can result in significant fines. Insurance complications may also arise from unlicensed operation.

Question 22: What is the phonetic alphabet word for 'E'?

Echo (Correct answer)
Easy
Eagle
England

Correct answer: Echo

In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the letter E is represented by 'Echo'. An echo is a reflected sound wave and the word is clearly distinct from all other phonetic alphabet words.

Question 23: What do the first three digits (MID) of a vessel MMSI indicate?

The country of registration (Correct answer)
The vessel's port of registry
The vessel's gross tonnage category
The year the MMSI was issued

Correct answer: The country of registration

The first three digits of a vessel MMSI are the Maritime Identification Digits (MID), which identify the country where the vessel is registered. The UK MID is 232 to 235.

Question 24: What is Channel 10 typically used for in UK waters?

Weather broadcasts
Port operations
Oil pollution and coastguard working channel (Correct answer)
Marina communications

Correct answer: Oil pollution and coastguard working channel

Channel 10 is used in UK waters for oil pollution reporting and as a working channel for HM Coastguard. Vessels observing oil pollution should report on this channel.

Question 25: What does PLB stand for in the context of maritime emergency equipment?

Portable Locating Beacon
Personal Locator Beacon (Correct answer)
Personal Location Broadcaster
Personal Locating Beacon

Correct answer: Personal Locator Beacon

PLB stands for Personal Locator Beacon, a smaller personal device that transmits on 406 MHz and is registered to an individual rather than a vessel.

Question 26: How many digits make up a vessel's MMSI number?

9 (Correct answer)
6
7
12

Correct answer: 9

An MMSI number consists of exactly nine digits and uniquely identifies a ship station or group of ship stations.

Question 27: After sending a DSC distress alert, on which channel should you immediately follow up with a voice MAYDAY call?

Channel 16 (Correct answer)
Channel 70
Channel 67
Channel 6

Correct answer: Channel 16

After a DSC distress alert on Ch 70, you must immediately switch to Ch 16 and transmit a voice MAYDAY call.

Question 28: What penalty can be imposed for transmitting a false distress alert deliberately?

A small fine only
No penalties exist
A verbal warning only
Criminal prosecution, fines, and potentially imprisonment under the Wireless Telegraphy Act (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Criminal prosecution, fines, and potentially imprisonment under the Wireless Telegraphy Act

Deliberately transmitting a false distress signal is a criminal offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and international regulations. It can result in prosecution, substantial fines, and imprisonment.

Question 29: In UK waters, which radio watch is mandatory on recreational vessels?

No mandatory watch applies to recreational vessels
A watch on Channel 67 when in coastal waters
A watch on Channel 70 only when DSC is fitted
A continuous listening watch on Channel 16 when underway (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A continuous listening watch on Channel 16 when underway

While MCA regulations strongly recommend maintaining a continuous watch on Channel 16 when underway, vessels fitted with DSC are also required to maintain a watch on Channel 70. In practice, Channel 16 watch is the primary requirement.

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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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

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rya.org.uk — Score release, eligibility, fees, exam format, registration deadline, test delivery · verified Oct 2026