Is there any point in the having / renewing ICC

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beany_bot

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So I've had my ICC for 4 years now and it's time to renew it soon but honestly, I don't think I'm going to bother. I don't actually see the point. I've never been able to use it. And that's not for lack of trying! In the last 4 years I've been to France, Australia, Antigua, Mauritius, and Barbados. All with the hope of hiring a boat while there and actually making use of my ICC, alas, I've looked and looked but nowhere seems to hire out powerboats without a skipper. Yes you can charter boats that come with a skipper but I'm yet to find somewhere that will just hire you a boat using your ICC.
 
I have had the same problem abroad too with day charter etc, they would not let me take their boats out without their own skipper on board. I can understand that as it’s possible to renew the ICC over and over without ever setting foot on a boat at all and inevitably boat handling/ navigation skills are lost without regular practice . I keep my ICC up to date mainly as proof of competency if we sail to France etc.
 
Having done so several times, it is easy to hire a power boat, bare boat with your ICC.
I would go as far as saying most French med marinas have at least one hire operation going.

The prices charged can be eye watering though!!!
 
Unfortunately, the ICC seems to be more valuable than the higher qualifications of YM and DS etc.
We haven't yet been challenged but I believe that an ICC would be respected by the authorities for us to drive our boats in foreign countries.
These authorities wouldn't understand YM and DS etc which I think is a shame.
So, IMO, we do need to keep our ICCs up to date - if only to prove our abilities to foreign authorities.
 
Hurricane said:
Unfortunately, the ICC seems to be more valuable than the higher qualifications of YM and DS etc.
We haven't yet been challenged but I believe that an ICC would be respected by the authorities for us to drive our boats in foreign countries.
These authorities wouldn't understand YM and DS etc which I think is a shame.
So, IMO, we do need to keep our ICCs up to date - if only to prove our abilities to foreign authorities.
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True but not the point I'm making, I can't find anywhere (outside of the med) that will hire you a boat without a skipper. Regardless of qualification. You could be Lord Admiral. They just don't seem to do it. Hence making the ICC rather useless outwith the med. Can't you get an ICC from YM course? Pretty sure you can.
 
I renew mine purely so i have a "skippers licence" should any one ask ( no one ever has).

When you visit Cabrera off Mallorca there is a requirement somewhere in the blurb to have a skippers licence ( its a national park) and again never been asked, but for £40 every 5 years it potentially saves a lot of hassle should someone choose to be difficult.

I just joint the RYA for a year so it is free, you get a (dreadful) magazine and discounts on a Volvo ( big discount, but I don't want one!). Kids get free membership so they are happy as they get a card and the occasional letter through the door.
 
l'escargot said:
You don't even need to go as far as YM, you can be issued with an ICC if you've done PB2 or Helmsman.
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I know but he's saying its weirds that a higher than PB2 qualification like YM isn't recognised by foreign bodies as an ICC is. But im saying if you've done YM you can get an ICC with it.
 
beany_bot said:
So I've had my ICC for 4 years now and it's time to renew it soon but honestly, I don't think I'm going to bother. I don't actually see the point. I've never been able to use it. And that's not for lack of trying! In the last 4 years I've been to France, Australia, Antigua, Mauritius, and Barbados. All with the hope of hiring a boat while there and actually making use of my ICC, alas, I've looked and looked but nowhere seems to hire out powerboats without a skipper. Yes you can charter boats that come with a skipper but I'm yet to find somewhere that will just hire you a boat using your ICC.
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I have my ICC which I got when I done my yachtmaster, Does it no also reduce your boat insurance? I was asked if I had it when I took mine out, also for the sake of £40 its worth having just in case you do ever get asked.
 
lionelz said:
I have my ICC which I got when I done my yachtmaster, Does it no also reduce your boat insurance? I was asked if I had it when I took mine out, also for the sake of £40 its worth having just in case you do ever get asked.
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didn't affect my insurance. The only reason I got it was to be able to hire boats abroad but I'm yet to be able to do so, so not sure if I will renew it.
 
To take this one step further, other than insurance docs, VAT etc. has anyone knowledge of ever being asked for one? Could a footballer with a load of wonga just turn up at a brokers and off he goes in a 70' Predator?
 
yes said footballer could - the only thing would be if someone would insure it - but that is just down to money, probably few hours worth in footballer terms!

When I had no experience the ICC was an insurance requirement. Until i passed it an instructor had to be on board. We did it the first weekend we owned the boat.
 
beany_bot said:
I know but he's saying its weirds that a higher than PB2 qualification like YM isn't recognised by foreign bodies as an ICC is. But im saying if you've done YM you can get an ICC with it.
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That is the whole point of the "International" bit - to have a document that is universally acceptable. There are literally hundreds of national qualifications that qualify for an ICC. The purpose was to set a minimum standard and have one document. It is aimed at satisfying local national requirements, not necessarily as permission to drive other peoples' boats.

Your problem seems to be nothing to do with the status of the ICC as you admit that you could not get a self drive boat in the locations you tried under any circumstances. That is, as others have said not universally the case as some operators in some countries will hire out self drive boats on the basis of an ICC.
 
On our trip to South of France, which I posted a thread about, they refused to rent a RIB without an ICC. The person at Dream Yachting was very strict about this and said that both them and I would get into trouble if something happened and I had driven a boat without the appropriate qualification.

As I didn't have my ICC with me, I phoned the Finnish authorities who issue the ICC's and asked if they could email a copy of the document directly to Dream Yachting. A scanned copy with the inspectors business card along side it was enough to convince them.
 
To operate a motorboat with anything more than a small outboard in French waters you need a permit of some kind, with restrictions on distance from coast, night time sailing and size of vessel depending upon the class of license that you have. In our area (SoF) random checks by customs boats are relatively common, particularly for foreign registered boats in busy anchorages at weekends. They approach, ask to board and then depending upon mood ask for passports/ID cards, registration/VAT docs, insurance and skipper's permit. Anything missing or not in order and its an automatic fine followed by a more intensive inspection.

The ICC is equivalent to the higher form of French "Permis" and basically lets you go anywhere anytime on boats up to 24m. So for us, its not optional.

We've had no problem renting RIBs or small powerboats using an ICC, although accept that anything bigger is more challenging.
 
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