ICC is it really needed in the Med?

[sausage]

I have my yacht master cert, and all the others.

Do I really need an additional International Certificate of Comepetence in the Med, or is the RYA just trying to get an extra £10 out of me?

Thanks
Mark

 

[ccscott49]

There was a thread about this very recently, the general consensus was yes, saves hassle.

 

[sausage]

Thanks. I still havent really got to grips with the search facility on this forum. Sometimes I cant even find my own posts

 

[Scillypete]

The general consesus may have been yes, but legally there is no requirement to have one as a British flagged vessel unless you intend using inland waterways in any of the foreign countries you are visiting. Inland waterway being beyond a lock as opposed to up a very long river.

Personally I would not bother.

 

[mixmaster]

I started the last thread. I just received my ICC today.

 

[charles_reed]

I've only been asked for it once in 7 years, and, if a member it's free.

 

[mike_bryon]

Hi Sausage

I had to produce an ICC before I could obtain an annual cruising permit for Croatia. I had to produce it again when I renewed the permit the following year. This requirement is stated in Croatian section of the Mediterranean almanac.

 

[co256]

This is cut and paste from the RYA website.....

The requirements for certificates of competence vary from country to country. Sometimes they are required for coastal waters, sometimes for inland waters, sometimes for neither and sometimes for both. As the skipper of a vessel, you must ensure that you area aware of any requirement for qualifications before venturing into another country's jurisdiction.

In very general terms an ICC is required for the inland waterways of Europe and for inland and coastal waters of Mediterranean countries. For the coastal waters of Northern Europe the ICC is generally not required, however to all of these generalisations there are exceptions.

RYA Members can access Country by Country information in the Boating Abroad for Members area of the web-site.

 

[co256]

you'll find most of it here

 

[rallyveteran]

I think the general consensus was that it might save hassle. Despite requests there was no report from anyone who suffered any inconvenience through not having an ICC. Any such report would still be of interest on this thread.

 

[Conachair]

[ QUOTE ]
Despite requests there was no report from anyone who suffered any inconvenience through not having an ICC. Any such report would still be of interest on this thread.

[/ QUOTE ]
Perhaps that´s because the majority of people here didn´t want the possible hastle and got one before departing.

 

[ThereAndBack]

[ QUOTE ]
you'll find most of it here

[/ QUOTE ]
A good link but it would appear either that the RYA doesn't know where it is actually needed or doesn't want to stick its neck out.
We were asked at the port police office in Greece (Preveza) but when I offered to get it from the boat they just gave me a form to sign declaring that I was experienced and competent. (Well, I would hardly deny being either of them, would I?)

 

[westernman]

Maybe.

[ QUOTE ]

A sailing permit or licence (título de recreo) is not needed to sail following vessels during daylight hours in Spanish waters:

* Motor boats up to 4 meters in length and with a maximum power of 10 Kw (13 CV)
* Sailing boats up to 5 metres in length
* Kayaks, canoes and pedal boats and boats with motors of under 3.5 Kw
* For further information: Click here (in Spanish)

All other vessels may only be handled by person holding an appropriate licence. Failure to have a licence may result in the vessel being confiscated or a hefty fine.

Although a Yacht Masters certificate (and translation into Spanish) or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) are considered sufficient proof of competence to skipper a UK (or some other) flagged vessel, the ICC is not a recognised qualification for Spanish flagged vessels. Anyone resident in Spain must have a Spanish recognised qualification, the título de recreo.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is from http://costadelsol.angloinfo.com/information/23/sailing.asp

I have seen similiar on other web sites.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the general consensus was that it might save hassle. Despite requests there was no report from anyone who suffered any inconvenience through not having an ICC. Any such report would still be of interest on this thread.

[/ QUOTE ]

I take your point re no one (as yet) having reported suffering from officialdom, but I can assure you that in Portugal in particular, I would not ATTEMPT to cruise their coast without one.

For example, in Figuera de Foz a few years ago, we were almost given the third degree by the police official on 'duty' at the marina (no anchoring) when we arrived. Aside from his shouting at us from the jetty as we were coming alongside, he demanded virtually every bit of paperwork we had on board - even to proving the horsepower of the engine! It was so bad that the marina chap invited us to his office immediately afterwards, gave us coffee - and apologised for the dreadful reception.

This wasn't an isolated case either on that trip. In Nazare, SWMBO nipped off to do the paperwork when we arrived, and came back some 20 minutes later in tears. I was furious and went to the office myself. They treated me with more respect, but it was still unpleasant.

Let me say right now, that these were the ONLY occasions of aggro in Portugal on that trip, and was totally different from ALL the other Portuguese we met, who were unfailingly kind, helpful and generous.

But those in uniforms ....................... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Like others on this and the previous thread, I cannot see why anyone would not decide to get an ICC when the cost (assuming your not an RYA member) is so tiny in the great scheme of things. Get one, relax and enjoy the trip!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous]

When we left Porto Azzuro (Elba) for Corsica earlier this week, on the eastern coast of Elba, around two miles offshore, we were intercepted by a Carabinieri launch who demanded (without boarding):-

a) Vessel registration document
b) Insurance cover certificate
c) ID (or passport)
d) Proof of competence to be in command

I gave my ICC which was fine. The only problem was with the Pantaenius certificate of cover which does not state that the use of the outboard is covered....was told not to use outboard in Italian waters. I have yet to take this up with Pants.

You would have to be stark raving bonkers not to have an ICC sailing overseas. If you have a superior qual such as YM then the ICC is for the asking, anyway. Surely we are not going to lose too much sleep over a few £s every five years, which in any case is a different issue.

 

[Swagman]

Hi Sausage,
Not if you have other qualifications you can use if and when it is demanded from you.
We understood there was no need for any such qualification (unless going up inland waterways in France) and for four years cruised from UK to Egypt and around Med - and never an issue - EXCEPT trying to exit Turkey once with a bolshie harbour master insisting we produced some qualification so he could enter a number on his exit form.
As I then did not have any, had to go to anothe port to clear out and avoid his 150 euro 'fine'.
So then went and got an ICC when we had next visit to the UK. If I had your qualifications it would not have been an issue, so IMHO you've no worries.
JOHN

 

[JamesFrance]

It would be interesting to know what they do about French yachts, as it would seem that their sailing boat skippers do not need permits either.

http://www.bateau-ecole.com/quand.html

I have no qualifications at all, but don't get around much now, so maybe have been lucky.

 

[rivonia]

I realy have to take issue here. I you are a YM there is no need for an icc. The test for the icc is beyond believe that it proves competancy to handle a yacht to cross oceans and in and out of very difficult moorings.. nuf sed

 

[charles_reed]

[ QUOTE ]
It would be interesting to know what they do about French yachts, as it would seem that their sailing boat skippers do not need permits either.

http://www.bateau-ecole.com/quand.html

I have no qualifications at all, but don't get around much now, so maybe have been lucky.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are very wrong on that one.

Suggest you re-investigate about French skipper requirements.

 

[charles_reed]

[ QUOTE ]
I realy have to take issue here. I you are a YM there is no need for an icc. The test for the icc is beyond believe that it proves competancy to handle a yacht to cross oceans and in and out of very difficult moorings.. nuf sed

[/ QUOTE ]

I fear you've missed the point.

YM is an internal UK qualification, not officially recognised in many other countries.

The ICC is recognised!!