ICC Renewal - Yet another Rip Off?

[JamesS]

My Internatioal Certificate of Competence is shortly due for renewal. Like many others I expect, I was granted the original certificate on the grounds of having the Yachtmaster Qualification.

Having enquired to the RYA about the renewal process I am being told, as I am not a member, it will cost me £34. If I had been a member it would have course been free.

I chose not to belong to the RYA for my own very good reasons. It seems quite unfair that a single private organisation should have the monopoly of the issue of these certificates, which we all need, and is able to dictate whatever pricing mechanism it chooses. In any case, why do they only last for 5 years other than just to heap on the cost?

Of course the cheaper option is to join the RYA, under protest, for £30 and get the certificate 'free'.

Prehaps I'm just being unreasonable!

 

[snowleopard]

it does seem crazy that the ICC expires but a new one is issued based on a YM that may be 20 years old!

do we know if the 5-year limit is an international requirement or one imposed by the RYA? there must be forumites out there who have ICCs issued outside the UK.

 

[Sailfree]

I appreciate that you may not wish to join the RYA but the RYA have done a good/adequate job (delete as you wish) of representing our sport that the UK alone leaves it to them to regulate a scheme and issue documents that are accepted throughout the world. If you think any government body would do it better or cheaper I would like to hear your reasoning. I wonder what the total costs and difficulties are in France or say Germany of acquiring their equivalent of the ICC.

You may have your own good reasons for not liking the RYA and I have read of other criticisms on various Forums but my understanding is that they are held in high regard throughout the rest of the world and it is only in true British fashion that we find so much to find criticise.

 

[aluijten]

I've got one from the locals here (Dutch) and it expires after I turn 65 years old, and needs a renewal every 5 years after that.

Arno

 

[Sailfree]

Can you give us an idea of equivalent cost of passing the exam for ICC and what is tha actual cost of the ICC certificate please.

 

[andy_wilson]

Issue of these should be opened up to competition, like Directory Equiries, then see what you get.

Alternatively, leave it as it is, with issue handled by one statutury body, and keep it cheap and efficient.

Do you realy consider this a rip-off?

 

[aluijten]

For the ICC you will need to pass the exam for 'Vaarbewijs' (same for yachties and mobo's). This is a 'paper' (theory only) exam divided into two parts: Vaarbewijs 1 and Vaarbewijs A. These two combined leads (automatically) to Vaarbewijs 2.
Examination is done for either 1 or A or both simultaniously. 1 and A each costs 70 Euro both together costs 84 Euro. Additional paperwork costs 25 euro.
Vaarbewijs 1 is for inland waters, Vaarbewijs A is for coastal, but only valid in combination with Vaarbewijs 1 (hence the Vaarbewijs 2 classification).
Getting the ICC (either inland only (Vaarbewijs 1) or inland and coastal [Vaarbewijs 2]) sets you back another 15 Euro.

Formally you only need Vaarbewijs if your sailing yacht is bigger then 15 metres or your Mobo can do more then 20 km/hour.
ICC is only issued to people with the 'Vaarbewijs' regardless of their boat.

Alternatively you can do the exam for Theoretical Coastal Navigation (TKN) which will entitle you for the coastal version of the ICC only (costs approx. 100 Euro in total). TKN is a slightly 'bigger' exam then Vaarbewijs A. It's taken by a different organisation.

Arno

 

[stevebirch2002]

Bloody hell... You need a degree to understand the qualification let alone pass it. I think I'll stick with my RYA issued ICC, certainly less paperwork and a lot cheaper!!

 

[VicMallows]

And don't forget over there one (including us) MUST carry the official equivalent of a current almanac which will set you back another £10 or so. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hadn't realised that RYA was now up to £30/yr .... My ICC must be coming up for renewal! I guess that still works out at £6/yr for the ICC. When/If the radio licence becomes free that will more than cover it /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Vic

 

[Sailfree]

You state it should be opened up to competition like Directory Enquiries. Did you miss the recent report that said Directory Enquiry opening up was a complete mess. At one time everyone dialled 142 now no one knows which of the many numbers offers an acceptible service - consequence is that use of all Directory Enquiries is way down.

Can you suggest a better comparison or offer a well run government department as comparison say like the Child Support Agency

Or was your statement tongue in cheek

 

[jhr]

And another thing.....

Since abolition of 192, the average cost of making a call to the likes of 118 118 or 118 500 has risen to about 10p more than a call to 192 used to cost.

So much for competition putting a downward pressure on prices!

 

[snowleopard]

[ QUOTE ]
... now no one knows which of the many numbers offers an acceptible service - consequence is that use of all Directory Enquiries is way down.

[/ QUOTE ]

then again it could be that all the publicity has made people realise that directory enquiries are expensive, not everyone was aware that BT had stopped the free service but they certainly are now.

 

[Cornishman]

Perhaps you would prefer the DVLA to take over the ICC? After all, look what they did for the Small Ships Register when they took that over from the RYA.

 

[pandroid]

I think its a fix.

I joined the RYA when the ICC it was a HOCC and it cost £10 and you had to renew every two years - at the time this was slightly more than the RYA fee, so guess what - I joined.

Then the ICC came out, but only had to be renewed every 5 years. Hooray! Physically its identical to the old HOCC. But guess what - Spookily the cost has gone up to slightly more than the RYA fee. Odd that.

I've had enough of the RYA. I'm not renewing, and I'll wear the ICC cost when it comes up