ICC-International Certificate of Competence

castaway

castaway

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Just glanced thro my RYA Mag that has dropped on the door mat.

There is an artical on the ICC, that implies that as of next year if I want to pop over to France I will require this piece of paper... Naturally I have to go to a school to obtain this. I realise that the RYA are generally in favour of pomoting qualifications for sailing, and for people joining the sport I am generally in favour.

I also realise that it is not the RYA that requires us to have the ICC, but the foriegn country that one travels to.

I can see that a lot of folks that have been sailing for a while, and never really bothered to reinforce their experience with certificates with be restricted to UK waters or have to queue up to be 'certified'

What I am interested in is whether this ICC is a 'must have' or just a qualification that the RYA would like us to have. ( and of course whether I have to get it before next spring).

Regards Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>
 
I also read this article, twice, and agree that one will now require an ICC for visiting and an endorsement for CEVNI rules if you go on the inland waterways.
I alo notice the RYA do the forms now required for visiting Holland... as per a question I posted about 3 weeks ago.
I interpreted it as being essential if you are visiting France etc. - if you have some qualifications you can get it immediately from the RYA, not sure wether Coastal Skipper counts though...

dickh
I'd rather be sailing... :-) /forums/images/icons/smile.gif
 
I read this also, and it seems to apply even if you have YM qualification. It is issued free to RYA members, and you only need send copy of practical course completion (Day Skipper or above) to qualify without a test.

Don't know why I bother to carry YM certificate - never been asked for it and seems it won't do in France! Yet another bit of paper...
 
You do not need it until the French police come and ask for it, which they are doing with increasing frequency. You also need the boat registration (original, duplicate will not do), proof of insurance, and proof of VT being paid and passports for everyone on board.

See you in France

Chris Stannard
 
No requirement for France

The basis of international maritime law in this respect is that, while you are in international waters and national coastal waters, you are bound by the rules of your flag state - ie the country where the boat is registered. In the case of most British owned yachts, they will be registered in Britain and must obey British law with regard to crew qualifications, safety equipment etc. Since Britain requires no proof of competence, there is no requirement to carry an ICC or any other certificate when cruising in European coastal waters.

However, when you pass from coastal to inland waters, you are bound by ALL the laws of the country concerned. The definition of inland waters is a bit unclear and is often simply what the nation says it is. It is sometimes taken as the river mouth (in the case of small rivers), the limit of tidal water, or, most commonly, the first obstruction to free navigation - such as a bridge or a lock.

All countries have the right to stop a vessel in its waters and demand to see that it and the cfrew conforms to the approprate regulations. Since those doing the stopping are not always completely aware of rules relating to foreign yachts, they may apply the local rules and make life difficult if you don't comply. It is therefore best to carry as much paperwork as you can. The bare minimum is: certificate of Pt1 Registration or SSR, passports for all members of crew, certificate of insurance, radio operator's licence if there is an active VHF of HF r/t set on board (with GMDSS endorsementif appropriate), proof of VAT paid (if applicable). It is also wise to carry a certificate of competence - the ICC is best but a Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate is better than nothing


JJ
 
Just for the record. I departed the UK in March 1996 and have slowly wombled my way as far as the Ionian sea. I took the Biscay route and can't give you any information regarding inland waters however I've visited Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, Sardinia, Sicily, Italy and Greece and never been asked for anything more than my passport and the SSR Certificate. Oh! I was once asked for proof of insurance. I once showed my RT licence by mistake in Majorca and was asked if I was a radio operator on the visiting Passenger Liner. If the French give you any hassle, just keep going, the rest of Europe are not playing this game.

Andy
 
I have been looking into taking the ICC and have been told that you only need it if you want to hire a boat in the med it is not needed for your own boat. Apparently if you take the RYA Level 2 course this qualifies you to obtain your ICC.
 
boarded in boulogne...

by 4 gun-toting customs officers. they asked for ship's papers and copied down details of everything in the folder from radio licence to portuguese light dues receipt. doubt any of it meant anything to them but the sheer bulk of documentation seemed to impress them!
 
A Yachtmaster Certificate was never designed to be used to satisfy foreign authorities. It was for your own satisfaction originally, but it got hi-jacked for other purposes within this country. When some countries began to demand some form of certificate the YM was unacceptable because it was written only in English!
 
France does insist that you have an ICC with the inland waters addition if going up the rivers or canals. Has been in force for quite a while. Only had to show it once.

They do have a different attitude on the continent in as much as they "the authorities" need to know you can handle a boat and you have to pass exams. I know the feelings of most British yachties but it's not a bad idea really, only let down by the French desire to make money from holiday makers so that if you hire a canal/river boat for a holiday you don't need an ICC. Only if you use your own boat. Can't be trusted with your own eh?

Phil
 
I didn\'t know that Colvic

I thought that your bog standard ICC or Yachtmasters Cert was enough. What's this inland waters addition bit then? What's involved?

Geoff
 
Re: I didn\'t know that Colvic

The RYA issue a Yacht ICC and a Motor Boat ICC.
Yachts with their mast down are Motor Boats, so for French canals either will suffice.
I had a RYA 'Diver Cox' cert. and got a Motor Boat ICC on the strength of that.
 
Re: I didn\'t know that Colvic

It's the extra written test on the CEVNI rules for inland waterways. If you have an existing ICC (possibly even 'grandfathered' from the old HOCC) you just need to do the extra bit. Its a 20 question multi-choice paper. If you read/ memorise Marian Martin's book (from RYA or chandlers) its pretty easy. Nearly all schools and many yacht clubs will give you the test. Should you fail, you can even take it again (different set of questions) straight away.
 
Agree with James and Chris.
I lived and sailed in France for ten years and was boarded by Customs and harbour control officers on several occasions. It was always done in a reasonable manner and once they had looked at passport, SSR, VHF licences, VAT( Bill of Sale) they were usually satisfied, although a couple of times I was given a rummage search. It is different on their Inland Waterways. You will need a ICC cert - except for the Brittany Canals.
French yachts are legally required to carry a large and specific amount of "safety gear", and are restricted in the areas in which they can sail. Hopefully this will not be the case for a while in UK waters, for UK yachts.
 
Re: boarded in boulogne...

I think there must be a customs training school in Boulougne. We must have been boarded half a dozen times there or nearby. However, they are polite and only want to study and copy your papers.

Best occasion, they boarded when we were beating into a F5 in a Hunter Delta. 3 of them perched on edge of cockpit. Hardened sheets are bore away slightly. Result 3 machine guns and their owners dunked in sea water!
 
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