do i need the ICC cert to go into marinas in europe

Not normally for coastal marinas but you will require an ICC, with CEVNI endorsement, if you want to venture on to the inland waterways, at least in France, Belgium and Holland
 
grand so, i wont be going into inland waterways. i recall reading something on the internet that said at least one person on the boat should have the ICC..
 
As far as I'm aware you could be asked for the ICC or equivalent in just about any EU marina.

RYA knowledge base link is here.
 
Away from inland waterways, your qualifications must meet the requirements of the country whose flag your vessel flies. So if you're owner or skipper of a UK flagged leisure vessel (not commercial, under some length which I haven't got to hand), you don't need any qualifications, whereas if you're chartering a (say) Greek flagged vessel in Greece, you will need a certificate of competence.

However, some authorities don't understand the relaxed UK approach to qualifications, so very occasionally it pays to have a ticket to hand to avoid prolonged discussions.
 
Hmm, that's good to know. I was planning on doing the ICC because I thought that it was required of me. But now I see that as the owner of a British registered vessel, I don't necessarily have to have the ICC to get me round the world. This is good news, as I'd prefer to spend my money on other courses such as 'how to use your liferaft' and 'know your pressure cooker's limits'.
 
RYA knowledge base link is here
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When?

Just not patient enough!
 
As has been stated above, NO, unless you want to venture into inland waterways in some (many) of the EU countries. This is because you need to be able to show you have passed a (very easy) written test in the CEVNI canal regulations, and at least as far as the UK is concerned, it is an appropriate ICC that does this.

Vic
 
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RYA knowledge base link is here
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When?

Just not patient enough!

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Here's the bulk of it. Note that it's not just inland waterways.
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The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Inland Water Committee Resolution 40 (hereafter called Resolution 40) International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (known in the UK as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC)) is documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets the levels of competence laid down in Resolution 40. It is NOT a qualification.

The resolution states that the ICC may be issued by a government to its nationals and residents who are bound for the waters of foreign countries on vessels registered by that government, on condition that it accepts the requirements and conditions set out in Resolution 40. This means that a UK ICC allows UK Citizens and bonafide UK residents in UK registered pleasure craft (up to 24m in length) to visit the waters of foreign states that participate in Resolution 40, without the need to comply with those states’ Cabotage laws, particularly their national certification requirements which in many cases are compulsory.

The UK is one of only a few countries which have fully accepted Resolution 40. Many countries have not adopted Resolution 40, some still apply Resolution 14 which Resolution 40 was intended to replace. Others only apply Resolution 40 in part or with caveats attached. In reality, however, the ICC is more widely accepted as proof of the holder’s competence. Spain, Greece and Portugal for example, have not adopted Resolution 40 but are still likely to ask visitors for an ICC.

Some states may accept UK (RYA) ICC as an alternative to their national qualification on their nationally flagged vessels, but this should NEVER be assumed. The onus is on ICC holders to determine its acceptability by foreign states. The ICC was never intended to be an alternative to individual national qualification requirements.

The advice to anyone planning to charter abroad is to obtain from the charter company (preferably in writing) details of the certification they require, what cruising area this is acceptable for and that this certification will also meet the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned.

The RYA is working towards wider acceptance of Resolution 40 and conformity in its application. Once Resolution 40 is universally adopted, the ICC may then become more like an international driving licence in application for visitors.
 
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Spain, Greece and Portugal for example, have not adopted Resolution 40 but are still likely to ask visitors for an ICC.

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In ten years cruising these waters full time with a UK flag, I was only once asked for proof of qualifications. That was in Rhodes. I told the (senior) official - whom I think was showing a junior what the full procedure was - that UK did not require any qualifications for people to sail their flagged leisure vessels.

He spoke good English. Surprised, he asked if I had the ship's log books aboard and said he wished to inspect them. He was entitled to do so, so after a 2km walk there and back I showed the log books to him. He then asked if I had any proof of my competence - I said the log book provided the proof, but I did have a UK yachtmaster certificate, which had no validity outside UK.

His (paraphrased) reply was to say 'You know the rules! Theoretically we can prevent anyone from sailing in Greek waters if they don't have a Greek qualification. Of course, this would be stupid, but it is a useful way of dealing with some people'.

I'd like to hear if anyone else has been asked for proof of qualifications in these countries . . .
 
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