VHF SRC EXAM

PRE-EXAM KNOWLEDGE CHECK

Question 1
Which of the following represents the letter Q in the phonetic alphabet?
Select one:
a. Quote
b. Quick
c. Quebec

Question 2
Which of the following represents the letter P in the phonetic alphabet?
Select one:
a. Parrot
b. Papa
c. Pound

Question 3
Which of the following represents the letter Z in the phonetic alphabet?
Select one:
a. Zone
b. Zebra
c. Zulu

Question 4
Which proword would you use if you needed to check something before being able to reply to a
message?
Select one:
a. Read back
b. Word after
c. Stand by

Question 5
Which proword might be used by the Coastguard to request that no radio transmissions are made
while they deal with a distress situation?
Select one:
a. Seelonce
b. I say again
c. Radio check
Question 6
Which channel is used for direct bridge-to-bridge contact for matters of navigational safety?
Select one:
a. Channel 70
b. Channel 13
c. Channel M

Question 7
Which channel is a private channel, designated in the UK for search and rescue organisations?
Select one:
a. Channel 13
b. Channel 80
c. Channel 00

Question 8
Which proword(s) would you use to identify a specific part of a message you want someone to
say again?
Select one:
a. Correction
b. Say again
c. 'All after' or 'All before'

Question 9
Which of these channels is private, for use by marinas, yacht clubs and recreational craft in the
UK?
Select one:
a. Channel M
b. Channel 06
c. Channel 67

Question 10
You receive a DSC distress alert followed by a distress call and message, which is not
acknowledged by the Coastguard. What should you do?
Select one:
a. After waiting a short while send a distress alert followed by a distress relay voice call and
then relay the original distress message
b. No action is needed because you would not hear the Coastguard's acknowledgment
c. After waiting five minutes, send a distress relay call and relay the original distress message
d. After waiting a short while send a safety announcement followed by a distress relay voice
call and then relay the original distress message
Question 11
Would you expect to receive a digital acknowledgement from the Coastguard after sending an
urgency announcement?
Select one:
a. Yes
b. No

Question 12
How is an unscheduled SECURITE message from the Coastguard sent?
Select one:
a. By voice on channel 16 after an all ships DSC urgency announcement
b. By voice on a working channel after a DSC safety announcement
c. By voice on channel 70 after a DSC safety announcement
d. By voice on channel M

Question 13
You see a motor cruiser on fire close by and hear no distress traffic. What best describes the
situation?
Select one:
a. Distress
b. Distress relay
c. Safety
d. Urgency

Question 14
You sight some tree trunks close to the coast in an area with numerous small craft. What best
describes the situation?
Select one:
a. Urgency
b. Distress relay
c. Safety
d. Distress

Question 15
A crew member has an injured leg and is in considerable pain. What best describes the situation?
Select one:
a. Urgency
b. Distress
c. Safety
d. Distress relay
Question 16
Which electronic navigational aid can be interfaced with a DSC controller to input position?
Select one:
a. Radar
b. GNSS receiver
c. Fluxgate compass and electronic log
d. Navtex

Question 17
What does Navtex do?
Select one:
a. Digitally transmits your position to the Coastguard
b. Automatically updates electronic charts
c. Receives weather, navigational and safety messages at sea

Question 18
You purchase a handheld VHF radio to take with you on a charter boat. What type of licence
does it require?
Select one:
a. You don't need to licence the set. You just need your operator's licence
b. Ship radio licence
c. Ship portable radio licence
d. International Certificate of Competence

Question 19
Which of the following is permitted?
Select one:
a. Transmitting without your call sign or boat name
b. Requesting a radio check on a working channel
c. Making an unnecessary transmission on channel 16
d. Making a voice transmission on channel 70

Question 20
Over approximately what distance could two yachts communicate if their VHF antennae are
respectively 16 and 9 metres high?
Select one:
a. 2-3 miles
b. 15-20 miles
c. 70-90 miles
Question 21
Put the following distress call and message in the correct order.
1 I require immediate assistance
2 My position is 52° 33’,84 N 003° 24’,00 W
3 MAYDAY
4 I hit a submerged object and I am sinking
5 Over
6 MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is IDA, IDA, IDA, VECT8, MMSI
233685331
7 IDA, VECT8, MMSI 233685331
8 There are 3 people on board, we are abandoning to liferaft

Question 22
MMSI numbers for Coast Radio Stations start with which numbers?
Select one:
a. 543
b. 1
c. 0
d. 00

Question 23
Does a Ship Radio Licence allow the use of a handheld VHF radio in a tender?
Select one:
a. Yes
b. No

Question 24
What is the maximum permitted power of a marine VHF radio?
Select one:
a. 50 Watts
b. 5 Watts
c. 25 Watts

Question 25
When calling another boat not fitted with DSC, what channel should you use?
Select one:
a. Channel 70 for call and message
b. Channel 16 for initial voice call, then change to an inter-ship channel
c. Channel 13 intership
 Pre-Exam Answer Check

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
c b c c a b c c a c b b b

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
c a b c c b b – d a c b

Question 21
Correct order of the distress call and distress message
6 MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is IDA, IDA, IDA, VECT8, MMSI 233685331 call

3 MAYDAY
7 IDA, VECT8, MMSI 233685331
2 My position is 52° 33’,84 N 003° 24’,00 W
4 I hit a submerged object and I am sinking msg
1 I require immediate assistance
8 There are 3 people on board, we are abandoning to liferaft
5 Over
SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION PAPER A

NOT TO BE TAKEN AWAY TIME ALLOWED 30 MINUTES

Notes for candidates:

• 28 marks are available and 18 marks are required to pass Candidate's Name: ...........………..
(11 marks must be achieved from Part A).
• This is a closed book exam and the use of any reference Date of Exam: …………………………...

PART A DSC Function Prowords Marks

1. For each situation below, write which DSC Write 'Safety', 'Urgency', Write 'Mayday',
function you would use and which prowords 'Distress' or 'None' (if it 'Mayday Relay', 'Pan
would initiate the subsequent voice call. isn't appropriate to send Pan', or Securite'.
a DSC).

a) You see a windsurfer being hit by the mast

(2)
and is now floating face-down in the water.

b) Your boat has capsized, all crew are in the

water but one crew member is missing. (2)

c) A crew member suffers serious pain and

you want to obtain medical advice. (2)

2. You are three persons in a yacht called 'Seagull'. A crew member has a serious head injury, and is
unconscious. You have a DSC handheld radio on board. Its MMSI number is 233 456 789 and the
licensee's T-Number is T323914. Your position is 39°16',10 N 002°56'.20 E. Write the distress call
and message you would transmit by voice after sending a DSC Distress Alert.
2.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(6)
………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Which prowords are used in a distress situation that does not involve your vessel?
(1)
………………………………………………………………….

4. Spell the word 'Seagull' using the phonetic alphabet.

(2)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Total marks for PART A (15)

CONTINUED OVERLEAF
© RYA SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE
 PART B Marks Marks
5. From which two sources might a VHF set (2) 11. How should channel 13 be used? (1)
automatically obtain a GNSS position Input?
a) On-board communication using low power
a) Built in receiver
b) Intership communications using appropriate
b) Mobile phone power
c) FM radio signal c) Distress and calling using high power
d) Interfaced with an external receiver d) Maritime safety Information messages on
low power
6. How much time should be left before (1) (1)
12. A SART uses which two technologies to
repeating an unanswered call?
transmit its location?
a) 3 minutes
a) MF or radar
b) 2 minutes b) Satellite or radar
c) 5 minutes c) Radar or AIS
d) The repeat call can be made d) AIS or satellite
immediately following the first
(1)
13. What is the minimum battery life of an EPIRB?
7. Which stations are most likely to have the (1)
a) 24 hours
furthest range when communicating with
b) 36 hours
each other?
c) 48 hours
a) A motor cruiser and a Coastguard Station d) 72 hours
b) A fishing boat and motor cruiser
c) A RIB and a sailing yacht
14. Which proword would you use if you mistakenly (1)
d) A cruise ship and a Coastguard Station
transmit a wrong information?

(1) a) Revision
8. On which licence must a fixed VHF DSC
radio, a handheld VHF radio and a radar be b) Excuse me
listed? c) Say again
a) No licence required d) Correction

b) Ship Radio licence

c) Ship Portable Radio licence 15. When you hear distress communications you (1)
d) SRC Operator Certificate must ...?
a) Maintain radio silence if 'Seelonce Mayday'
(1) is heard
9. A distress may be issued if a vessel, vehicle,
b) Assist others in distress if you are in a
aircraft or .............. . is in grave and
position to do so
imminent danger?
c) Not misuse any distress signal
a) Person
d) All of the above
b) Animal
c) Sea-based mammal
d) Marina 16. Which is the correct format for a Coast Radio (1)
Station MMSI number?
(1)
10. A safety voice call is normally: a) 0XXXXXXXX
a) Sent to a coast station b) 90XXXXXXX
c) 00XXXXXXX
b) Sent to an individual station
d) 000XXXXXX
c) Sent to all Stations
d) Broadcast

Total marks for PART B (13)

SR

SRC ASSESSOR USE ONLY:

Total Marks from PART A I confirm that this exam has been conducted according to the requirements of the CEPT and
Total Marks from PART B the RYA Training Guidance 02-14.
Total Marks for the PAPER Assessor's Name Number Signature
………………………………… …………….. …………………..…
PART A - ANSWERS

1 DSC Function Prowords

a) You see a windsurfer being hit by the mast

None Mayday Relay
and is now floating face-down in the water.

b) Your boat has capsized, all crew are in the

water but one crew member is missing. Distress Mayday

c) A crew member suffers serious pain and

you want to obtain medical advice. Urgency Pan Pan

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday This is Seagull, Seagull, Seagull

Mayday
yacht Seagull, T323914, MMSI 233 456 789
My position is 39°16'.10 N, 002°56'.20 E
2 A crew member has a serious head injury
I require immediate assistance
Three persons on board
Sail yacht
Over

3 Mayday Relay

4 SIERRA ECHO ALPHA GOLF UNIFORM LIMA LIMA

PART B - ANSWERS

5 6 7 8 9 10
a, d b d b a c

11 12 13 14 15 16
b c c d d c
 ALFA - SITUATION CARD 1

Complete tasks 1 to 5 on your VHF RT, standing alone

1. Turn the radio set on and adjust the squelch control

2. Choose the low power setting
3. Enter manually the following position 50° 20'.33N, 002° 25.22 W
4. Enter into your directory: "BRAVO", MMSI: 232 521 884
5. Enter into your directory Group "FLEET", MMSI: 023 200 759

Complete tasks 6 to 11, in cooperation with the operator on watch on the VHF
RT (BRAVO) you are connected to

6. Perform the voice routine priority VHF communication with the other
vessel following the instruction on the reverse side of this card
7. Receive a DSC announcement from the other vessel and transmit the
acknowledgement (able to comply)
8. Make a routine DSC announcement to the other vessel, proposing Ch. 67
as working channel
9. Send a DSC URGENCY/SAFETY announcement to all ships followed by
the correspondent Voice Call (no message)
10. Listen to the Distress Alerts and Mayday Voice Call and Message
transmitted from the other station and record the information on your
logbook. Check the information recorded
11. You are on the vessel ALFA (Call Sign XY1234, MMSI 233 567 890);
your position is 50° 02'.28N 005°, 56'.21W (10 miles West of Land’s
End); your vessel has a bad leak and you are sinking; there are 4
persons on board; you are abandoning to the life raft; you have a
handheld radio with you and intend to deploy red flares
a) Send a DSC undesignated distress alert (Red Button)
b) Cancel the distress alert
c) Send a DSC designated distress alert (Menu + Red Button)
d) Cancel the distress alert
e) Write out the corresponding Distress Priority Call and Message you shall
transmit by voice on Ch. 16
f) Transmit the voice VHF Distress Priority Call and Message on Ch. 16
 ALFA - Voice Training Card

SELECT CHANNEL 16

SPEAK THE WORDS WRITTEN IN BLACK ONLY

ALFA Coastguard, ALFA Coastguard, this is Motor Yacht BRAVO, BRAVO

Safety traffic – Over
BRAVO, this is ALFA Coastguard – Go to Channel six seven and
standby – Over
ALFA Coastguard, BRAVO, going to Channel six seven and standing by

CHANGE TO CHANNEL 67

BRAVO, ALFA Coastguard – What can I do for you? Over

ALFA Coastguard, BRAVO – I have safety traffic for you – Over

BRAVO, ALFA Coastguard. Send your traffic. Over

FOXTROT, ECHO – We are leaving Falmouth to Alderney – Intended speed 12

knots, ETA one nine zero zero – My Call Sign is ZT3304, four persons on board
– Over

BRAVO, ALFA Coastguard – All received – Have a good trip – Out

12