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International Certificate of
Competence (ICC)
In October 1998 at the UN
Economic Commission for Europe Resolution number 40, 'International
Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft', was adopted. The
RYA introduced this on behalf of the European Boating Association
and it took five years of negotiation before the resolution was
passed. The end result is the 'new' International Certificate
of Competence (ICC), which has been issued since April 1999.
Prior to this, the RYA issued
the Helmsman's Overseas Certificate (HOC) and latterly the 'old'
International Certificate of Competence. The main difference with
the new ICC is that competence in boat handling, navigation and
knowledge of the collision regulations must be proven by test
or previous qualification and also the CEVNI test must be taken
if the inland waters endorsement is required. CEVNI is the French
acronym for European Inland Waterways Collision Regulations. The
lack of a test on the CEVNI regulations was the major sticking
point for acceptance by other European countries, who were simply
not happy with such a system.
An ICC is usually required
throughout the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, Greece, Croatia
and Turkey. ICCs are not required in Spain on British flagged
yachts. However, Spanish harbour masters and other officials are
used to their own nationals having to be licensed and so can be
difficult to persuade that British flagged vessels do not require
them. You either have to be prepared to stand your ground and
argue the case or you may decide that it is easier to actually
have an ICC. Portugal does require skippers to hold the ICC.
When applying for an ICC there
are a number of choices to be made. Firstly, the waters on which
the boat is to be used must be specified. The choice is 'inland'
and 'coastal' and both or either can be chosen.
The second choice is the type of craft for which the ICC will
be used. The choices are 'power up to 10m' 'power up to 24m' or
'sail'. On a sail application you automatically receive 'power
up to 10m' in addition to sail.
When the ICC application form
is submitted, either a practical test must be signed off by a
RYA Training Centre such as Sun_Coast_Marine,
or evidence of competence enclosed. The accepted evidences of
competence are listed in full on the last page of the ICC application
form, but basically a course completion certificate for Day Skipper
practical or above is sufficient evidence for operating a sailing
vessel with an auxiliary engine. For motor cruisers Day Skipper
(Power) is acceptable and for small motor boats, ribs etc Power
Boat Level 2 or above is required. A photocopy of the course completion
certificate or certificate of competence should be included with
the application form.
How do I get an ICC?
The RYA is the UK issuing
authority for the ICC. You can obtain an ICC form by clicking
Application Form (at the foot of the screen) or telephone 0845
345 0370.
Complete the application
form and send it into RYA House together with a passport sized
photograph and photocopies of practical course completion certificates,
if applicable. The ICC is valid for 5 years and is issued free
to RYA members.
An ICC application form can
be downloaded here
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