VHF SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE (SRC) EXAMINATION PROCEDURE 2026
From September 7th of 2026 anyone intending to complete a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) course and exam must have their SEAFARERS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (SIN) before the course begins. You cannot do the exam and get your SIN later.
Sea~Craft must have your SIN to register you on your course before it starts.
The examiner must have your SIN to allow you to do the exam when the course is over.
This is purely a change in administrative procedure. There are no changes to the SRC syllabus or the SRC exam. The highly respected quality of our courses and friendly tuition will continue to maintain the outstanding success rate our SRC candidates have achieved over so many years.
A unique Seafarer Identification Number will be assigned to you by the Department of Transport,
free of charge, on completing the short on-line registration form available at: --------------------------
You must upload your photo on page 2 of the form and your signature on page 3; preparing
your photo and signature for uploading before you start the form will speed up the process.
The requirements for your photo are similar to passport photo requirements:
*No ‘selfies’ - get someone to take your photo for you, *full front face and shoulders only,
*neutral expression, *photo in focus, *light neutral background, *no objects in the background,
*no headwear (unless for a religious reason but it must not cover the face).
Save the photo to your device where you can access it easily.
Write your signature using black ink on white paper, take a clear (in focus) close up photo of it.
Save the photo to your device where you can access it easily.
Note: it may take a few days to get your SIN so apply in good time before your course starts.
CHANGE TO THE VHF SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE COURSE FEE STRUCTURE
From September 7th of 2026 Sea~Craft will charge VHF SRC candidates for the course tuition fee plus the examiner’s fee but will not collect the government’s certificate issue fee.
A candidate notified of examination success must apply to the Department of Transport for their printed Certificate of Competency (COC) and will pay the certificate issue fee (currently €50)
directly to the appropriate department at that time.
We will explain this simple application procedure during the course.
Message to you from the Mercantile Marine Office:
‘If you have any queries regarding your unique Seafarers Identification Number (SIN), please contact the Mercantile Marine Office + 353 (0)1 678 3480 and we will assist.’
