Azure Airwaves

Get your SRC radio certificate in one week on a yacht.

7 days

Short Range Certificate (SRC)

Ready for a charter vacation with a radio license

You need a radio license to charter a boat, so why not learn how to use the radio on a sailing yacht? You can get your SRC in just one week, and you'll come back with new friends!

Azure Airwaves offers an intensive week of learning at sea, combining sailing trips and radio practice with a holiday. You will learn on board using real radio equipment as part of everyday life on board.

Why Azure Airwaves is different:

Genuine radio equipment
Real-world radio operation
Permanent repetition
Learning app
Real traffic

Radio communication on board a yacht — Do you copy?
You will practise directly with the radio, using real radio communication rather than just theory.

Active sailing at the winch — Close hauled
Join us and experience the power of the wind filling your sails. At the winch, you will see how working together propels the boat forward.

Dinner together on board — Dinner on board
Dinner in the cockpit with a view of the sails and the sun – cooking and enjoying meals together is simply part of the experience.

Learning exam questions in the app — Digital trainer
All theory questions in your pocket. With the app, you can learn directly on board—interactively and playfully!

Swimming in the anchor bay — Need to cool down?
Jump into the clear water of the anchorage bay after a day of sailing.

Your sailing trip

Sailing area Coast and islands

We sail along the coast, visit islands, and anchor in a bay, moor at a buoy, or dock in a marina every evening.

Duration 7 days

Saturday to Saturday. We sail effectively for 6 full days. The first and last days are partly for arrival and partly for departure. The exam will take place on Friday.

Crew max. 6 persons

With a small crew, you will have plenty of time to practice, as well as receiving intensive personal support and exam preparation.

License SRC

On this trip, you will obtain the Short Range Certificate (SRC), which is a radio operator's certificate. It is the official German authorization to operate maritime radio services in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) for VHF on recreational boats and is valid internationally and indefinitely. Further information is available from the German Sailing Association (DSV)...

Jannik using the app — Anyone who has learned with the English voice prompts in Markus' app has a huge advantage in the SRC exam. The training on our devices was extremely close to reality—everything was easy in the exam.
Jannik (Nov. 2025)

A week on board

From zero to Roger! In just one week, you'll learn everything you need to know about radio communication in a practical, step-by-step and easy-to-understand way.

We use the radio every day during our sailing trip. We also have training equipment on board. By the end of the trip, you will have received your Short Range Certificate (SRC).

8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM

SaturdayTravelCheck InErrandsRestaurantSafety briefing

SundayBreakfastGMDSSMarine radioExam questionsLunchSailingDinner

MondayBreakfastRadio communicationRoutine callSailingNATO alphabetDinnerExam questions

TuesdayBreakfastSearch and rescueDistress callSailingVocabularyDinnerExam questions

WednesdayBreakfastSearch and rescueSafetySailingTranslationDinnerExam questions

ThursdayBreakfastTechnology/RegulationsExam simulationSailingFAQDinner

FridayBreakfastExamLunchSailingRefuellingRestaurantParty

SaturdayBreakfastShipshapeCheck outDeparture

Activity / Lessons

Communal meals

Sailing / Practice

Individual / Training

By the end of this week, you will no longer be afraid of using the radio, even in English and in stressful situations. This will ensure you are fully prepared for the exam. You will know all the theoretical content:

GMDSS
Marine radio
Radio communications
Search and rescue
Radio medical consultation
Weather reports

You will also gain a lot of experience with all exam-relevant radio messages on a real marine radio:

Alerting
Emergency message (Distress / Mayday)
Urgency message
Safety message

No prior knowledge is required for the SRC, nor is any preparation at home necessary.

You need to meet the following requirement:

Minimum age 15 years

German language skills at least A2

As both the theory and practical exams are conducted in German, we recommend that you have the appropriate level of German language skills. However, you do not need to provide proof of this. Our app will help you learn technical terms, and you will gain experience of using the German language on board during the training cruise.

Your sailing and training package

Your trip includes everything you need to learn at your own pace and return home with a radio licence.

Skipper Qualified training skipper

Your experienced training skipper will guide you throughout the trip. They have the necessary qualifications (SKS or SSS) and plenty of patience to support you in both theory and practice.

Practical experience Time at the helm

From your first time at the helm to independent maneuvers: you will gain real experience with a large sailing yacht from day one. We receive daily weather reports and coordinate port entries by radio. We also experience real-life traffic, from position reports to safety and emergency calls. You’ll also cover a lot of miles at the helm—always adapting to the weather and crew.

Radio practice Training equipment

You will practice all the skills relevant to the exam, such as routine, distress, urgent and safety calls, as well as technical handling, using real radio equipment.That's why we have training equipment on board that enables you to practise without any risk, whether it's in the cockpit, below deck, between the cabins or even on your way to the fridge.

Theory Directly on board

Learn all the theory directly on board and put it into practice straight away. Topics covered include GMDSS, marine radio, radio communications, search and rescue services, weather and warning services, and radio regulations.

Safety Equipment & safety instruction

The trip includes certified rescue equipment, safety technology, first aid equipment and detailed safety instructions. On board, there is a DSC/AIS radio, a DSC/AIS handheld radio and a satellite radio. This allows you to focus entirely on your studies and prepare directly for the exam!

App Exam questions & solutions

Access to the 'SRC Funk’ Manatee app, which contains all official SRC questions in an interactive quiz format — perfect for structured learning and revision! It includes all annotated radio operating procedures (distress, urgency, safety and routine) and vocabulary.

Confirmation of nautical miles 100 nautical miles

During the trip, we will cover approximately 100 nautical miles and confirm the distance you have sailed. Your personal logbook is a great memento and also proves your experience to charter companies. This proof of sailing 300 nautical miles is recognized as a requirement for admission to the SKS.

Exam SRC Theory & Practice

The theoretical and practical examination for the Short Range Certificate (SRC) is conducted by the DSV examination board directly on the boat.

We believe that the best way to learn radio communication is through hands-on experience with real radio equipment in real environments and situations. This approach is much more effective and enjoyable than classroom learning. That's why we've incorporated SRC training into a sailing trip.

Adventure An unforgettable time on board

A great time full of new experiences, team spirit, and shared adventures. You'll get to know exciting people and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Accommodation 7 nights in shared double cabins on board

Accommodation directly on the yacht in cozy double cabins. This means you are right in the middle of the action and part of the crew and life on board.

Board Communal cooking

We cook together using great recipes on board and organise the traditional sundowner. There are also opportunities to buy fresh fish from local fishermen. Everyone takes turns to cook, which is a meditative and creative experience, and an authentic part of crew life.

This isn't a course or a holiday. You're booking a genuine sailing trip on a yacht, where radio communication is an everyday occurrence.

FAQ

Do I need any prior knowledge of radio communication or sailing?

No! You don't need any prior knowledge of radio communications or sailing. We'll teach you all you need to know in just one week. While sailing experience is advantageous, it is not a prerequisite. However, it's important to have at least a A2 level of English and German, as you need to translate.

Is Azure Airwaves an official SRC radio course?

Yes. You will obtain official authorization license to participate in the global maritime distress and safety radio system for VHF radio on recreational boats. The German Short Range Certificate (SRC) is internationally recognized and valid indefinitely.

Why do I need the SRC?

You must have an SRC certificate if you want to charter a yacht equipped with a VHF radio system, which is practically every modern yacht in the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea or worldwide.

Where and how does the SRC exam take place?

The exam takes place directly on board at the end of the trip. You take it in familiar surroundings and with exactly the same equipment you have been training with all week.

How does Azure Airwaves differ from a traditional radio course?

Instead of classrooms and theory blocks, at Manatee Academy you learn in real everyday situations on board. You radio while we sail, enter ports, or receive weather reports. You learn theory where you need it and can immediately apply it in practice.

How much practical experience do I really have with the radio?

As much as you want—and usually more 😉 We take turns using the radio in real sailing situations, and two training devices are also available to you at all times. There are a maximum of six people on board, which means you practically have a radio to yourself for two days. Don't worry: experience shows that two hours are enough to pass the exam safely.

What is a typical week on board like?

We sail, have fun, and learn along the way. Theory and practical sessions are short, clearly structured, and integrated into the daily routine. And before you know it, the exam will be behind you.

Do I have to study all week, or will I have time for vacation?

The SRC is significantly less effort than the SBF. Expect around 8 hours of joint theory and practice and around 8 hours of individual learning (e.g., in the evening with the app). This means that most of the week is free for sailing and enjoying yourself.

What happens if I fail the exam?

Our pass rate is over 80%. However, if you do fail, it's no big deal: you have six months to retake the part of the exam you failed. You can take the retake exam independently in a major city such as Hamburg, Berlin, or Munich.

Can I combine Azure Airwaves with Captain Basic?

Yes, absolutely. We recommend two weeks in a row, as experience has shown that it can otherwise be too stressful. You can get an attractive package deal for the combination. Get in touch via WhatsApp right away.

Can I use Azure Airwaves instead of Meilen & Meer for SKS preparation?

Yes, of course! You will most likely accumulate around 100 nautical miles during Azure Airwaves. In the subsequent SKS Skipper Pro trip, you will add at least another 150 miles.

Contact

ahoi@manateeacademy.com

+49 151 40 377 511

Azure Airwaves

Ready for a charter vacation with a radio license

Do you copy?

Close hauled

Dinner on board

Digital trainer

Need to cool down?

Your sailing trip

A week on board

Your sailing and training package

FAQ

Contact

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Review

Manatee Academy