ICC test, how difficult can it be?

Contest1

Contest1

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 Apr 2011
Messages
689
Location
Dublin and Alicante.
Visit site
Now most of my sailing is happening along the beautiful Costa Blanca I booked my self in to my home clubs ICC test next week. It's not required but something on paper might come in handy if there's an incident.
Now it's at hand I am beginning to wonder if I can hack it with only my easy going cruising experience.
Anyway I have been swating up on the theory via the Alard Coles ICC app.
Put a few fenders over the side, crew wouldn't oblige, and managed to pick them up most times without too much trouble.
As I usually sail solo I have little experience of working with a crewed strange boat so any advise on what to focus on is welcome.
 
Last edited:
My written theory test revolved around lights & one about right of way, plus a couple of questions about buoys.

He then asked a trick question about lights which I sussed was the light configuration of a pilot vessel following a ship. The clue was " approaching a port at night"

Sailing did not involve chucking anything over, but a trip out of the marina, As we left he tied on the genoa sheets & I pointed out that he had them passed under another line which seemed to annoy him as it was his mistake & not deliberate one. We sailed across the river, a gybe, a tack & back to the marina after the instructor said " You can sail a boat, let's not waste time"

When we got back he had short lines for springs & long bow & stern lines & said " I will be back in a minute please tie her up properly" so I swapped the lines round & when he came back he passed me

The hardest bit was the theory because remembering all the buoyage & lights & sound signals is hard, especially with the inland ones & if one has not encountered some of them for a while it is difficult

I sail single handed & on this test there was just the instructor & myself on a Sigma 33 which i had never sailed before. The sailing bit is the easy bit.
 
Last edited:
Son has just passed his Yachtmaster theory but his examiner advised that before the practical test he needs to do more preparation. He needs a commercial endorsement. To help, I bought him a copy of "Seaman's Guide to Rule of the Road". I already have a copy and thought I would refresh my memory. It is a programmed course of learning and excellent.

I was shocked to find out how much I had forgotten/never learned. Lights and shapes are heavy going. Right of way is not as straightforward as I remembered.

(And if any of the forum members feel they are superior, what does three greens in a vertical line mean? Trick question but one posed to me many years ago during my theory test.)
 
Daydream believer said:
My written theory test revolved around lights & one about right of way, plus a couple of questions about buoys.

He then asked a trick question about lights which I sussed was the light configuration of a pilot vessel following a ship. The clue was " approaching a port at night"

Sailing did not involve chucking anything over, but a trip out of the marina, As we left he tied on the genoa sheets & I pointed out that he had them passed under another line which seemed to annoy him as it was his mistake & not deliberate one. We sailed across the river, a gybe, a tack & back to the marina after the instructor said " You can sail a boat, let's not waste time"

When we got back he had short lines for springs & long bow & stern lines & said " I will be back in a minute please tie her up properly" so I swapped the lines round & when he came back he passed me

The hardest bit was the theory because remembering all the buoyage & lights & sound signals is hard, especially with the inland ones & if one has not encountered some of them for a while it is difficult

I sail single handed & on this test there was just the instructor & myself on a Sigma 33 which i had never sailed before. The sailing bit is the easy bit.
Click to expand...

Very similar to my experience of doing ICC in Greece.

I was on board a Bene 323 with my wife and the examiner.

I've been sailing for 30+ years and hadn't done any sailing training in years (and none in cruisers).

We did do spring off both ends, man overboard, sailing the boat over all points of sail and knowledge of 'general stuff' in addition to the theory, chart work and buoyage and shapes/lights. There's nothing there to be scared of.
 
You have not said where your boat is registered, as this would have a direct bearing on whether or not the ICC was relevant. If it is Irish registered, (or UK, if you were born in Ireland before 18th April 1949), then you can legally sail it without any qualifications. Generally the ICC is a requirement for chartering boats abroad and for inland waterways navigation in Europe.
That being said, I will get onto my usual rant about the importance of training. Your ICC app may well be work for achieving an ICC, but I would advise further study, perhaps a sailing manual, such as one of Tom Cunliffe's, an online course, (go for British ones, avoid the American), but some practical training would be even better.
There are two good sailing schools in Dun Laoghaire; Irish Offshore Sailing, and Irish National Sailing School, who are now also running courses based in Malahide.
What I'm saying is that your "easy going cruising" can promote an air of complacency, which could lead you into difficult situations which could be avoided when you have had some professional training. Your enjoyment of the hobby would also be enhanced by broader knowledge and skills.
 
Did the ICC 5 years ago.
I was shocked to find that it is out of date and they want €90 to replace the plastic card.
No further training needed, just €90.
Money making racket.
 
The ICC isn't that difficult. And probably handy to have a bit of paper just in case even though it isn't technically required.

The YM focuses a lot on crew management but I doubt the ICC does anywhere near as much. If you don't know them in advance you're just going to have to work them out as you go along. Delegate as necessary.

And I can really recommend The Seaman's Guide... It'll do no harm to know the ColRegs as well as you can.
 
ronmarson said:
Did the ICC 5 years ago.
I was shocked to find that it is out of date and they want €90 to replace the plastic card.
No further training needed, just €90.
Money making racket.
Click to expand...

Does it help if you join the ISA? I only joined for one year and decided it wasn't worth it but the RYA give it out free to members and I imagine the ISA do too.
 
Contest1 said:
Now most of my sailing is happening along the beautiful Costa Blanca I booked my self in to my home clubs ICC test next week. It's not required but something on paper might come in handy if there's an incident.
Now it's at hand I am beginning to wonder if I can hack it with only my easy going cruising experience.
Anyway I have been swating up on the theory via the Alard Coles ICC app.
Put a few fenders over the side, crew wouldn't oblige, and managed to pick them up most times without too much trouble.
As I usually sail solo I have little experience of working with a crewed strange boat so any advise on what to focus on is welcome.
Click to expand...

Have a look at the Application form. It details the test.

http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/cruising/Web Documents/Boating Abroad/ICC Form.pdf

Good luck!
 
I think it depends whether or not the examiner wants you to pass. I suspect a fair few would fail if it was a strict test with the examiner as an observer expecting every question and practical test to be completed correctly.

In reality there is nothing there that is that difficult and shouldnt be within your repertoire. Some of the theory you might find you are scratching your head if you use modern chart plotters all the time and some of the practical might be things you havent rehearsed recently and so find yourself a little rusty.
 
lpdsn said:
I didn't see that in the OP's post. Seems like his sailing is mainly in Spain and Ireland. I've no idea about any Spanish canals but I suspect his draught may be an issue in the Irish ones.
Click to expand...

Are there any Spanish canals linking with France?
Point is that one were to decide to bring the boat back to northern shores via France then he would certainly need it. It is a recognised route if draft permits
 
Daydream believer said:
Are there any Spanish canals linking with France?
Click to expand...
They'd have a lot of locks I'd expect. :)

Daydream believer said:
Point is that one were to decide to bring the boat back to northern shores via France then he would certainly need it. It is a recognised route if draft permits
Click to expand...

I'm sure he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it. If that's the right metaphor for a canal trip that may or may not happen.
 
For those out there used to a lifetime of constant workplace examinations this will hold no terrors.
If like me, the last exam you took was the 11+ (failed) then be assured the examiner really does want you to pass and even possibly hopes that you will remember at least some of what you were expected to know in your future boating adventures.
 
Daydream believer said:
My written theory test revolved around lights & one about right of way, plus a couple of questions about buoys.

He then asked a trick question about lights which I sussed was the light configuration of a pilot vessel following a ship. The clue was " approaching a port at night"

Sailing did not involve chucking anything over, but a trip out of the marina, As we left he tied on the genoa sheets & I pointed out that he had them passed under another line which seemed to annoy him as it was his mistake & not deliberate one. We sailed across the river, a gybe, a tack & back to the marina after the instructor said " You can sail a boat, let's not waste time"

When we got back he had short lines for springs & long bow & stern lines & said " I will be back in a minute please tie her up properly" so I swapped the lines round & when he came back he passed me

The hardest bit was the theory because remembering all the buoyage & lights & sound signals is hard, especially with the inland ones & if one has not encountered some of them for a while it is difficult

I sail single handed & on this test there was just the instructor & myself on a Sigma 33 which i had never sailed before. The sailing bit is the easy bit.
Click to expand...

+1
Very similar to my experience. Suggest a couple of days swotting with the books would be worthwhile.
 
PilotWolf said:
Minesweeper IIRC?

W.
Click to expand...

Three greens in a triangular arrangement rather than a vertical line. I always find the advice to proceed with caution amusing. I think a 180 degres turn might be the best bet in a minefield but even that would come with no guarantees.

My best trick question (observed in reality). Two reds in a vertical line with a flashing red directly above them.
 
Rather than picking up fenders you should consider how you resume yourself if you go overboard.
Contest1 said:
Now most of my sailing is happening along the beautiful Costa Blanca I booked my self in to my home clubs ICC test next week. It's not required but something on paper might come in handy if there's an incident.
Now it's at hand I am beginning to wonder if I can hack it with only my easy going cruising experience.
Anyway I have been swating up on the theory via the Alard Coles ICC app.
Put a few fenders over the side, crew wouldn't oblige, and managed to pick them up most times without too much trouble.
As I usually sail solo I have little experience of working with a crewed strange boat so any advise on what to focus on is welcome.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top