RYA vs ICC

[knuterikt]

Norway changed the legislation regarding small boats (LOA less than 15 meters)

All persons born on or after 1 January 1980 need a boating license in order to operate a recreational craft under Norwegian flag of more than 8 metres in length or with an engine with a greater effect than 25 HP.

The ICC is accepted, and other like RYA might be approved after individual application, so having an ICC would make it easier.
So this applicable if you want to rent a boat in Norway, if you sail here on your own keel with a foreign flagged vessel it's the flag state rules that apply.
You can read more here https://www.sjofartsdir.no/en/recreational-craft/certificates/boating-license-and-icc/

 

[Mark-1]

The SSR was instituted in 1983 in response to the requirement of a number of overseas authorities for British owned yachts to be properly registered

Thanks. That sounds much more plausible and fits the facts. The requirement of several overseas authorities presumably lead to the agreement to create a register for small ships at the UNCLOS Conference ending in 1982. Then shortly after (1983) some or all of the UNCLOS agreement got added to UK law.

Thanks for correcting my dates, I've amended the post.

 

[rafiki_]

Back to the ICC, I rented a Sunsail yacht in Greece earlier this month, and needed an ICC to do so to meet the local regs. Did the test with Bacchus at Portsmouth. Really useful exercise, and hugely valuable day for me.

 

[LadyInBed]

There is no doubt that the need for evidence of competence is increasing and it makes sense if you are cruising outside the UK to have one.

Surely, the fact that you got there without mishap is evidence that you are competent

 

[Toutvabien]

Surely, the fact that you got there without mishap is evidence that you are competent

I would tend to agree, but I have also been asked for "sailing licence" in a number of locations where I had assumed that my presence demonstrated at least some level of competence. The ICC has always worked so I continue to carry one that is in date. Most of the time it sits neglected with my ships papers, but now and again comes centre stage and resolves the issue quickly. I have never had an official fail to accept the ICC.

 

[Tranona]

Surely, the fact that you got there without mishap is evidence that you are competent

Try telling that to a Greek Port Policeman who has the power to impound your boat!

It is a daft argument - and the forum would lose a lot of threads about the incompetence of people who have obviously sailed to wherever they are demonstrating their incompetence.

Anyway, the ICC is at such a basic level that it is easy to obtain and is largely a paper exercise to satisfy regulators.

 

[E39mad]

I have recently obtained my ICC having had both Yacht Master (1995) and Day Skipper (1987) both in theory only.

I obtained the ICC because of the requirement to charter boats in the Med and it is becoming more recognised out there than RYA qualifications.

 

[BrianH]

That pdf link says:
"recognized for operating Croatian flag boats and yachts as in the table below"

That list is used for visiting non-Croatian registered yachts too. My Italian marina has a number of skippers who had to take a €200 Croatian test to obtain a local licence before being granted clearance. One Italian even had to pay the same price for the Croatian SRC VHF licence as that is also on the list of necessary documentation to clear into Croatia.

Some years ago as I was clearing from Umag in northern Istria to return to Italy, a Brit was in a fierce debate with the harbour master because of the lack of any certificate of competence; he was getting nowhere, just being told he would have to leave Croatian waters immediately without any certificate. Almost certainly he would have been offered the test by a local examiner for the standard price ... (plus a possible translator's fee, which I once heard of). I left the office before they reached that stage though.

 

[dennism]

Back to the ICC, I rented a Sunsail yacht in Greece earlier this month, and needed an ICC to do so to meet the local regs. Did the test with Bacchus at Portsmouth. Really useful exercise, and hugely valuable day for me.

Do you have any RYA (day skipper etc) or did you need to take the ICC test due to not having any other proof of competence.

 

[Tranona]

Do you have any RYA (day skipper etc) or did you need to take the ICC test due to not having any other proof of competence.

You can take the ICC test freestanding - details on the RYA site. Many schools offer a refresher session plus the assessment. Th criteria follow the ICC competences. Clearly you need to have the competences already - it is not a training exercise.

 

[jordanbasset]

As others have said an ICC may or may not be compulsory but it does make life easier. When the Greek Port Police ask for the 'Captain's License' I hand it over and they seem happy with it. Have heard anecdotally that people have passed all sorts of things over, including a drivers license, but I just want an easy life when it comes to dealing with the authorities in different countries.

 

[[70521]]

I have recently obtained my ICC having had both Yacht Master (1995) and Day Skipper (1987) both in theory only.

Scratches my very old head, you have two theory courses - ether there has been a administrative error or you are disclosing that you have not done any practical assessment. Very odd.

 

[LadyInBed]

. . . an ICC may or may not be compulsory but it does make life easier.

I can certainly agree with that. If I were sailing in eastern med, it would be prudent for me to have one but sailing closer to home (France, N & W Spain and Portugal), in 30 years, I have never had the need, except when I did the French Canals, which I seem to remember (1995 & 8) I showed when I bought my vnf vignette.

 

[Tranona]

Scratches my very old head, you have two theory courses - ether there has been a administrative error or you are disclosing that you have not done any practical assessment. Very odd.

Not odd at all. You cannot get an ICC based on the theory courses. You have to take a practical assessment of the competences required for an ICC. As ever, read the details on the RYA site.

Many people, including me got their ICC in this way. Already mentioned earlier it is a well established route and many schools offer specific refresher and assessment courses to meet this need.

 

[E39mad]

Not odd at all. you cannot get an ICC based on the theory courses. You have to take a practical assessment of the competences required for an ICC. as ever, read the details on the RYA site.

Many people, including me got their ICC in this way. Already mentioned earlier it is a well established route and many schools offer specific refresher and assessment courses to meet this need.

Indeed, I did the online theory then a one day assessment that turned out to be half a day as my wife and son got their Competent Crew in the other half then I did the exam.

This was on a family flotilla holiday in Croatia this summer. I had previously managed to get by on a Flotilla in 2013 with the RYA theory. but wanting to go bare boating in Croatia and Greece I needed to ensure that I had the correct ticket. Since been back to Croatia a few weeks ago on a Bav 49 this time with 4 friends. No problems with the charter firm booked through Late Sail.

 

[duncan99210]

The one and only time be been asked for my ICC was this year in Greece applying for the new DEKPA where you need to prove your competence. It was amusing to watch the chap in front of me producing a series of certificates and cards for his qualifications, which included Yachtmaster Ocean, all of which were waved away by the Port Police sergeant. Almost in desperation, the chap finally produced his ICC when was greeted with smiles and accepted immediately. He grumbled away that this was "not worth the paper it was printed on" and all the other qualifications were much more difficult to obtain and showed greater experience than the ICC. The sergeant smiled and responded by pointing out the Greek wording on the ICC saying he could understand that but couldn't be bothered figuring out all the other bits of paper....
That said, I know that most Port Police offices will do their best to accept just about any qualification. They'll just take their time doing so, consulting the station hierarchy, possibly phoning HQ or Athens and so on: be prepared to hang about whilst they make up their minds.

 

[dennism]

thanks all for the comments/ contributions...ICC is in the post.

 

[alant]

But if you want an ICC and you are not a RYA member, the cost is identical to becoming a member. Indeed, if you attempt buying an ICC without membership then the RYA give you free membership. (nb. the free membership lasts one year; the ICC lasts 5 years)

You can of course do a test for an ICC with most sea schools, without involving the RYA.

 

[alant]

I have recently obtained my ICC having had both Yacht Master (1995) and Day Skipper (1987) both in theory only.

I obtained the ICC because of the requirement to charter boats in the Med and it is becoming more recognised out there than RYA qualifications.

You must have done some practical course to get it.

 

[Tranona]

You must have done some practical course to get it.

No you do not. You are assessed against the competencies required by the ICC by an RYA approved examiner and the ICC is issued by the RYA.

This makes your post#38 incorrect as well.

Does your limitation in respect of the English language also extend to a difficulty in reading? as all of this information is on the RYA website.

There are of course other bodies that issue ICCs but not aimed at yachtsmen.