Greek Charters - ICC for Skipper AND 1stMate?

[SeamanStaines]

<sigh>
In Greece you can Charter with no paperwork at all. Absoluteley nothing. Phone Sail Ionian and ask them. I'm sure you can find Port Authorities and Companies that do require something, but I've never needed anything to Charter in Greece, EVER. Maybe that changed this year, but I doubt it. The fake rumours will continue, of course.

The last time I chartered in Greece I did not have an ICC. I called the charter company and explained, they said no problem, can I send them a photograph and pay £20. A few days later a very nice ICC turned up from a totally unknown British sailing organisation . From my experience, if the charter company wants to charter the boat to you, they will find a way. I had a discussion quite recently with a Greek charter operation and asked how they assessed experience to be told that if a family books a boat (particularly with small children) providing the skipper has a clue of how to start the engine they will charter it. If its an all male crew of gung ho youngsters then a few yacht masters would be asked for!

I think you all worry too much! I have always found the Greeks want to help and make it possible, even if that means 'interpreting' the rules in a beneficial manner, of course p!*s them off and its a totally different story!

 

[BrianH]

You don't happen to have that in English otherwise for me it could be a takeaway menu

The official Croatian maritime pdf file in English is here.

I cruise most years to Croatia, including this year and can confirm that I have been asked regularly for a competency certificate and a VHF SRC certificate, together with proof of ownership (registration) and international, blue card, insurance document, on entering in Umag in Istria.

A few years ago in Split, the manager of charter company told me they had a government diktat to require all charterers to furnish copies of the competency certificate of the skipper and of a VHF SRC certificate of either him or a crew member before confirming booking.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Try saying that if you are stopped by the authorities . Turkish people have to have passed an exam equivalent to ICC to own or charter.

Turkish people? The UK based companies do not insist on an ICC or equivalent to charter. Call one of the many companies and ask them.

 

[akyaka]

Turkish people? The UK based companies do not insist on an ICC or equivalent to charter. Call one of the many companies and ask them.

Whilst Greece does not insist on qualifications Turkey does and this is confirmed in eg Sunsails Brochure

Sailing Licences
The Turkish Port Authorities require all skippers to be ICC qualified or hold the equivalent RYA qualification.
If you have not already done so then both the Skipper and 1st Mate will be required to fill in a Sailing CV to confirm that you have the necessary skills to sail in this region.
Please bring any RYA certificates or other sailing qualifications with you.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Turkey haven't as yet introduced this requirement. They just keep talking about it.

 

[akyaka]

Funny that Sunsail do not reflect this. I know that I always ensure that I have mine with me whenever we go out.

 

[pipemma]

I've taken charter boats out in the Ionian for the last 3 or 4 years and can confirm that this year was the first time that my ticket was photocopied for the records and ship's papers. Also I was asked verbally for my crew's experience/qualifications, but a verbal assurance was accepted. Whether that constitutes anecdotal evidence of a tightening up, I don't know

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Funny that Sunsail do not reflect this. I know that I always ensure that I have mine with me whenever we go out.

Their brochure is possibly reflecting the possibility of it being introduced. Check out some of the other brochures, or even call one of the companies.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

This is what the Nautilus Yachting brochure says:

For yacht charter you should have previous skipper experience to Day Skipper standard, gained by sailing in the UK or on a previous yacht charter or flotilla sailing holiday. You should be competent at handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions, and be able to use your navigation and pilotage skills to plan a day passage and know your position at any time. You should be assisted by at least one competent crew.

The port authorities in Croatia, Mallorca, Tenerife and Malta require an internationally recognised certificate of competence for the skipper, eg RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or RYA Day Skipper Practical.

 

[chrishelen]

I've taken charter boats out in the Ionian for the last 3 or 4 years and can confirm that this year was the first time that my ticket was photocopied for the records and ship's papers. Also I was asked verbally for my crew's experience/qualifications, but a verbal assurance was accepted. Whether that constitutes anecdotal evidence of a tightening up, I don't know

+1
also wanted to know 1sts mates sailing history, he needed to fill in some sort of form saying he was a good and competant sailer.

other charters we spoke to said a tesco club card would do as long as they could navigate out of the marina (Govia)

 

[telford_mike]

I had a letter (not an email, a proper letter) from Sunsail a couple of months back asking me to confirm that I have the necessary quals for Greece. I can't imagine they'd go to the trouble and expense of writing to everyone who has booked for next summer without a pretty good reason.

Last summer Sunsail took a photocopy of my ICC too.

Having said all that, I've never once been asked for anything by the Port Police. Even that officious bloke in Ag Euphemia has never asked.

 

[KellysEye]

The reason foreign countries like an ICC is because it is in Engish, an international language. However all qualifactions from around the world are accepted but may cause a delay if they don't understand it.

 

[Davy_S]

Having said all that, I've never once been asked for anything by the Port Police. Even that officious bloke in Ag Euphemia has never asked

What officious bloke is that?

 

[nortada]

Need to demonstrate competence to charter a boat?

Seems reasonable to me & ICC is the easiest qualification. You would not expect to hire a car abroad without a driving license.

As I fellow water user, your competence (especially in close quarter situations, marinas etc.) could have a direct impact on my well-being!

Mate qualified, interesting development. Depending on what you are doing could be OTT.

Off thread - ever tried to hire an aircraft without a pilot's license & even an instrument rating?

 

[zzyyxx]

Off thread - ever tried to hire an aircraft without a pilot's license & even an instrument rating?

Never needed it as pax though.

 

[telford_mike]

What officious bloke is that?

Zooms about on a moped, takes your mooring fees.

 

[Davy_S]

Zooms about on a moped, takes your mooring fees.

Thats Aris! he is a bloody waiter and rubish collector! He knows as much about boats as I do about brain surgery. He has no powers whatsoever, I cut logs with him in the winter

 

[nortada]

Never needed it as pax though.

Very true hence my OTT observation but if the duration of your flight is longer than crew duty time think you will require a qualified 2nd pilot - now totally off thread -sorry

 

[Caladh]

Maybe our law abiding UK charter companys require this now. However some of the "local" charterers (let's not even mention Italians, Bulgarians, Russians..) we saw in Greece this season both in the Sporades and Saronic Gulf, had absolutley no idea about boat handling, such that in some instances they were putting themselves and others at risk. Invariably when it starts to get busy now, we adopt a very "defensive" position.

 

[AMCD300]

I had a letter (not an email, a proper letter) from Sunsail a couple of months back asking me to confirm that I have the necessary quals for Greece. I can't imagine they'd go to the trouble and expense of writing to everyone who has booked for next summer without a pretty good reason.

Nuff said really.