VHF*training outside UK?

[cirrusstream]

Hello all - couple of questions!

When sailing in Europe, is short range, local ship to ship and or meteorological broadcasts done in English, or local language?

I am based in Northern Europe and want to take a VHF test so that I can use the VHF rig in my boat for distress broadcasts, ship-to-ship and harbour etc... I can only speak English so perhaps it might be a waste of time if everyone broadcasting in local language. Useful to have for monitoring and eventuality of emergency perhaps only reason to have on board?

VHF training I will perhaps need to do when back in UK I think best?

Any useful thoughts on this would be welcome!

[goboatingnow]

The answer is both. The " official " approach is English , in the absence of an agreed national language , but in fact lots gets carried out in various local languages.

Note that permission to fit a VHF , as opposed to operate it , is different. A licensed operator can request a ships radio station license. Which can be used by anyone in distress.

Sone countries , incorrectly in my view , require an operators cert , if a radio is fitted. , yet the presence of a ships station license should be sufficent.

To get your radio license I suggest you will have to find an English language course , this is only likely to be in the UK ( or Ireland )

The license is Europe wide accredited.

Dave


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[cirrusstream]

Thanks for that excellent feedback.

I do have a VHF operators license from when I did a bit of flying training a few years ago, presumably the two arent the same?

I am hopefully undertaking the course with a UK operator to get RYA license, early this summer when back in UK.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by cirrusstream

Thanks for that excellent feedback.



I do have a VHF operators license from when I did a bit of flying training a few years ago, presumably the two arent the same?



I am hopefully undertaking the course with a UK operator to get RYA license, early this summer when back in UK.

No different cert, the RYA VHF cert can be done in a day


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[hoppy]

Is it really necessary to do a training course?

I bought the RYA VHF training books and read them along side reference to the Swedish VHF training book. My Swedish is rubbish and I struggled my way through the exam. I was the last to finish, but I passed.

Only a small amount of the exam was Swedish domestic specific and all of the mayday/Pan Pan messages were to be done in English.

Depending where you are up north, it may even be possible to get the exam in English. My examiner was supposed to supply the exam in English but forgot.

Just study at home and if you cant get the exam in english locally, just book to do the exam when you go to the UK next

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by hoppy

Is it really necessary to do a training course?

I bought the RYA VHF training books and read them along side reference to the Swedish VHF training book. My Swedish is rubbish and I struggled my way through the exam. I was the last to finish, but I passed.

Only a small amount of the exam was Swedish domestic specific and all of the mayday/Pan Pan messages were to be done in English.

Depending where you are up north, it may even be possible to get the exam in English. My examiner was supposed to supply the exam in English but forgot.

Just study at home and if you cant get the exam in english locally, just book to do the exam when you go to the UK next

The RYA exam and training course are one and the same


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[Xlantic]

Originally Posted by cirrusstream

VHF training I will perhaps need to do when back in UK I think best?

You can do the training and be certified by the RYA outside the UK as well.

Marine Radio (SRC) | Specialist Short Courses | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA

[TS2015]

We can provide you with VHF training and certification, we provide all coursework absolutely free of charge as a pdf to download and review, contact me if anyone wishes to receive the free course work notes.
Steve

[Cheechako]

Just get a small book or pamphlet. It's very easy.

[TS2015]

You can download the free course notes here http://tortolasailingschool.com/wpre...April-2010.pdf

[cirrusstream]

Thank you, that is great!

How would I though take an accredited exam?

Living in Stockholm, Sweden

[TS2015]

You can find all the IYT partner schools here Schools

[cirrusstream]

Stockholm sadly doesn`t appear to have any partner school to offer it?! Could you recommend somewhere?

[TS2015]

You could always combine this with a 1 week bareboat skipper course/ICC exam and do it here in the Beautiful British Virgin Islands.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Tortolasailing

You could always combine this with a 1 week bareboat skipper course/ICC exam and do it here in the Beautiful British Virgin Islands.

Nice try