Exams - at our age?

Sunday, 05 December 2010 14:20

You are never too old so they say!

Yesterday we went on a course and we were really hoping our memories would stand up to it, as at the end there was an "exam". I exaggerate a bit of course as it was really a "test" of our practical abilities as well as memory! Compared to some we are mere youngsters (no names mentioned!).

The good news is that we both passed! What on earth am I making such a fuss about, you say?

On our river trips and other northern waterways this summer, we realised that it was quite handy to have a VHF radio, not only to listen in to the commercial traffic, but to be able to communicate with the Lock Keepers.

Large barge on Aire and Calder Navigations

To do this "legally" there is an RYA VHF SRC course to obtain a Certificate of Competence and Authority to Operate. To de-acronomyn the above, this is the Royal Yachting Association Marine VHF radio Short Range Course.

Despite our fears, we really enjoyed the course under an excellent tutor, Nigel Lihou, at Willow Wren Training in Rugby. Yes, we were mentally tired, but really satisfied that we understand the distress and safety procedures and feel confident to operate the radio.

We know there are many, many boaters and narrowboaters who have VHF radios that are unlicensed and their owners are unqualified to use them. Having heard some "hoax" calls on the course and some knowledge of what happens in an emergency at sea and on tidal rivers, we would suggest that it is important to do this course!

Our VHF portable radio

It certainly beats being bored whilst iced in - all the revising we did beforehand paid off! Hoorah!