Radio Ready: Learn the Short‑Range Maritime Comms That Make a PER Sailor Competent

MADRID WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE

Radio Ready: Learn the Short‑Range Maritime Comms That Make a PER Sailor Competent

A mixed-format ROCA course (online theory + an 8‑hour practical simulator day in Madrid or Dénia) that equips candidates with mandatory VHF/LSD and SMSSM procedures required to obtain the Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER).

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Radio Ready: Learn the Short‑Range Maritime Comms That Make a PER Sailor Competent.

Duration
Duración total: 12 horas (4 horas online de estudio autónomo con test y examen + 8 horas presenciales con simulador).
Location
Madrid
Operator
Greenwich Nautica
Category
Workshop
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

The PER Curso de Radio — Radio‑Operador de Corto Alcance (ROCA) — is a focused, regulatory course that teaches maritime radiocommunications from basic VHF operation and digital selective calling (LSD) to the precise procedures for distress, urgency and safety under the SMSSM framework. Delivered as an online theory module followed by an 8‑hour practical session on an accredited simulator, the program is designed for students preparing the PER and for anyone who must demonstrate the mandatory radio competency before applying for the recreational skipper title.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

MANDATORY CERT

A compulsory credential for the PER

The ROCA qualification is the required radio course for anyone processing the Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo: it covers SMSSM basics, regulated frequencies and the standardized phrases used in maritime radiotelephony—content you must master to complete the PER pathway.

HYBRID FORMAT

Online theory plus hands‑on simulator practice

The course blends autonomous online study—four hours of theory with tests and exercises—with an intensive eight‑hour in‑person day centered on an approved simulator to rehearse calls, procedures and false‑alarm handling.

EMERGENCY FOCUS

Procedures that matter at sea

Training emphasizes practical use of VHF and LSD equipment and walks students through radiotelephone procedures for distress, urgency and safety, alongside protections for distress frequencies and the handling and annulment of false alarms.

What the day feels like

What the course feels like

You begin on your own schedule: a short online module introduces the four core sections (A–D), delivered with tests to verify comprehension. The classroom day compresses key theory review and then shifts into intensive simulator sessions where learners run realistic ship‑to‑ship and ship‑to‑coast exchanges, practice distress and safety calls, and work through false‑alarm scenarios so that radio procedures become muscle memory.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this course suits — and who should consider alternatives.

1
Aspiring PER candidatesIdeal — this ROCA course is the mandatory radio qualification to process the Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo and is structured for students preparing the PER.
2
Non‑Spanish speakersNot recommended unless you have sufficient Spanish comprehension; the course is taught in Spanish and simulations and exams are conducted in that language.
3
Recreational skippers refreshing skillsGood fit — boaters seeking to formalize or refresh short‑range radio procedures will benefit from the simulator practice and the SMSSM‑aligned curriculum.
4
Professionals seeking international credentialsLimited fit — this ROCA course does not provide international VHF/SRC or professional GMDSS qualifications; consult the operator for options if you require an international or professional radio licence.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

Total course time is 12 hours: approximately 4 hours of online study (self‑paced with tests) plus an 8‑hour in‑person practical session with a homologated simulator.

Location & Meeting point

The practical session takes place in Madrid or Dénia; the Madrid meeting point is C/ Marqués de Lema 7, 28003 Madrid. Exact dates and the selected venue are confirmed by email when you reserve.

Language & prerequisites

The course is delivered in Spanish; participants should understand Spanish well enough to follow instruction and perform radio simulations. It is recommended for those aged 18+ who have basic recreational‑nautical knowledge.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Is this course mandatory to obtain the PER?

Yes. The Radio‑Operator of Short Range (ROCA) course is a requirement to process the Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER).

In what language is the course taught?

The course is taught in Spanish.

Where is the in‑person practical session held?

The practical session is held in Madrid (C/ Marqués de Lema 7) or at the operator's facilities in Dénia (Alicante), depending on the scheduled date and group.

Does this course include an international VHF/SRC or GMDSS licence?

No. This course is the mandatory ROCA training for the PER; for an international VHF (SRC) or professional GMDSS qualification you must consult the operator about other course options.

Should I complete the online module before attending the practical day?

Yes. Completing the online module first is strongly recommended so you arrive at the practical session with the core concepts already studied and can make the most of simulator time.

I bought a PER pack that includes ROCA—how do I reserve the course?

If ROCA is included in a Pack PER you received a ROCA code; use that code to reserve the presencial date without paying again once the pack payment is confirmed.