Sailing abroad - Documents?

DangerousPirate

DangerousPirate

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So I just realised that I probably need some documents and certifications before I sail to other countries, but I am not sure which ones are essential and which ones are just good to have?

Probably also depends on where I want to sail, too. But let's say just globally? Besides visa and ID and such, what boat related stuff do I need to sail? In the near future I plan a trip to the meds, after that, at some point, maybe over to the Caribbean.

I think I need a Day Skipper or the ICC? Are they the same? Do I need both? Do I get away with only having the ICC? Can I get an ICC on its own? The local Day Skipper Course seems to be very expensive, looks like around 700-900 quid. So would like to avoid that if possible, but I am not sure what the actual difference is between ICC and Day Skipper.

Boat Insurance?

VHF License probably officially needed, but practically never asked?

Can't think of much else, but I am sure you know better.

I can sail and dock and navigate etc and feel confident to just go and sail it.
 
Different countries can have different requirements, but basically (in addition to passport/visas) you need:
Part 1 or SSR certificate - original.
Boat insurance certificate (plus translations if required)
ICC
VHS/MMSI cert
Possibly crew list

I have been asked for all the above, and you won't et into a marina without most of them.

You really need to research entry requirements for anywhere you plan to go, plus boat related requirements such as in date flares and other safety equipment.

And don't forget the 90/180 EU stay rules.
 
Anyone encountered any problems with using copies? - I'm not entirely comfortable with all the originals sitting on board.
 
Foreign countries, where qualifications are legally required, demand that visiting skippers comply with their own countries' requirements. No such qualifications are mandatory in the UK, (or Ireland), hence are not legally required in foreign countries. Conversely, if you wish to charter in other countries, charter companies will generally ask for Day Skipper or ICC, which prove that you are sufficiently skilled to use their boat (relatively) safely.
The cost you mention for a training course is probably average for having a berth on a boat for a week, whether training or as part of a charter crew. My standard advice (hobbyhorse :) ) is that training will never do you any harm, and might even save your life.
You will need to be qualified to use your Ship's Radio, which will also need to be licensed. Advice on VHF courses can be found on the RYA website.
Otherwise, you should have documents relating to registration, insurance and VAT status, and of course passports for all crew. Original documents are preferable, hence should be stored in something waterproof.
 
On my travels and entry to various countries I was never asked for any certificates for sailing competence like day skipper/yachtmaster or ICC (although I had both) or VHS certificate. This was on a trip from UK to NZ via the Caribbean
On entry to countries I was never asked to show Insurance but PlanB is quite right you won't be allowed into a marina without it.
Mostly they just wanted to see Part 1 for the boat and my passport. I never had to arrange any visas in advance, was sorted when I arrived, although this might not be true for all countries for example USA or their territories.
But again yes you need to research the requirements for any countries beforehand - noonsite is a valuable resource here.
It is wise to carry as much documentation as you have just in case you are asked for it.
Oh almost forget many countries now require advance notification of your arrival - generally you can just send them an online form via the relevant customs site - but they can be very strict if you don't do it - heavy fines of even deportation.
Happy travels
 
It is very common to be asked to show ICC in Mediterranean countries. Bureaucracy is increasing everywhere so this requirement is bound to increase. On my way to Greece 15 years ago I was asked occasionally to show mine in Spain, France and Italy. In Greece I am asked several times per season.

The only places I have been asked to show VHF licence were Belgium and Northern Ireland, both more than 20 years ago.
 
I have never been asked to show ICC or VHF certificate (neither for the boat nor for myself as operator) in France or Spain.
When visiting marinas I have only been asked for the registration document (UK Part I in my case).
My "home" marinas in France and Spain have always asked for the insurance certificate when reserving for the year or renewing for the year.

I was only once asked for my passport and that was when visiting a marina in Spain (having sailed there from France). They asked first if I was the "Captain" which I confirmed.
It was from the Guardia Civil who were patrolling. They also asked for the registration certificate. I told them the marina office had it. They did not ask for passports from anyone else. Nor for the passports of my Vietnamese friends either. Nor any other documentation.

That is over the last dozen years.
 
DangerousPirate said:
So I just realised that I probably need some documents and certifications before I sail to other countries, but I am not sure which ones are essential and which ones are just good to have?

Probably also depends on where I want to sail, too. But let's say just globally? Besides visa and ID and such, what boat related stuff do I need to sail? In the near future I plan a trip to the meds, after that, at some point, maybe over to the Caribbean.

I think I need a Day Skipper or the ICC? Are they the same? Do I need both? Do I get away with only having the ICC? Can I get an ICC on its own? The local Day Skipper Course seems to be very expensive, looks like around 700-900 quid. So would like to avoid that if possible, but I am not sure what the actual difference is between ICC and Day Skipper.

Boat Insurance?

VHF License probably officially needed, but practically never asked?

Can't think of much else, but I am sure you know better.

I can sail and dock and navigate etc and feel confident to just go and sail it.
Click to expand...

This needs to be posted, I guess ... Unless is get lost in post...
;)
https://assets.publishing.service.g...data/file/1033622/C1331-12-20_PDF_Version.pdf

Leaving the United Kingdom (UK) Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages part 1 and
Arriving in the United Kingdom (UK) Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages part 2
C1331
 
Its a strange world take a printer LOL I once got asked by quarantine in Indonesia for a clearance certificate for my medical chest. I asked to see one when they showed me a badly written list of rubbish I said Ahg hold it must be on the boat.. 5mins on Word and mine was "the best they had seen" ROFL
 
Major Tom said:
Anyone encountered any problems with using copies? - I'm not entirely comfortable with all the originals sitting on board.
Click to expand...

Portugal require original documents and in the past have even refused to accept laminated ones unless issued that way. Have only had to produce registration, insurance and passports in France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco for marinas and when inspected at sea. Never been asked for qualifications, VHF operators cert etc.
 
Something I found very useful when checking in/out is a laminated sheet with all the boat details (length, beam, tonnage (!), registration number, callsign, etc etc) and crew details (name, date/place of birth, passport number, issued on ..., issued by..., expiry on... etc etc ), saves going through each document over and over again. I had made several copies of a standard crew list but each country has its own format so I never used them and had to write it all by hand every time. Carbon paper (oh yes!) may be useful if you need to provide several copies of the same handwritten document :D
 
Graham376 said:
Portugal require original documents and in the past have even refused to accept laminated ones unless issued that way. Have only had to produce registration, insurance and passports in France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco for marinas and when inspected at sea. Never been asked for qualifications, VHF operators cert etc.
Click to expand...
There are no longer "originals" for registration documents. You print it out yourself.
 
Major Tom said:
Anyone encountered any problems with using copies? - I'm not entirely comfortable with all the originals sitting on board.
Click to expand...
I got fined 150 euros in Port Crouesty, France in 2019 for not having an 'original' SSR certificate on board... At least they gave me a piece of paper that said I'd been fined already in case I got inspected again !
 
westernman said:
There are no longer "originals" for registration documents. You print it out yourself.
Click to expand...

IIRC there's a note with the email one stating it can be laminated by recipient. I've found a few officials who are unable to understand what's presented anyway, they just want to see a bit of printed paper in similar format they usually see.
 
Oh jeez. This bureaucracy is really annoying. Can't even have copies or laminated paper? I mean on a boat, where things are prone to get wet I am supposed to keep paper documents? And then I propably get it back with coffee circles on it or something smh. Takes the fun out of my sails, that's for sure!

Okay. So I definitely need the boat registration papers, VHF Licence, Insurance, Passports and SSR.

Potentially Boat Documents as in length, tonnage etc.

And I think I need to go through the boat items (flares, extinguishers etc) and make sure they're up to date and up to EU standards. Oof.
 
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