ICC

About the ICC

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is a useful document for any British boater planning an overseas trip. If a boat owner requires proof of competence when visiting another European Country the ICC will frequently suffice and it can also be useful for people wishing to charter. That said, it is important to understand its origins, scope and the law of the sea.

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is a useful document for any British boater planning an overseas trip. If a boat owner requires proof of competence when visiting another European Country the ICC will frequently suffice and it can also be useful for people wishing to charter. That said, it is important to understand its origins, scope and the law of the sea.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Inland Transport Committee Resolution 40 (hereafter called Resolution 40) International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft - known in the UK as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) - is documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets the levels of competence laid down in Resolution 40. It is not a qualification.

In the strictest sense, the ICC has no formal "validity" as such under UK law, for use on any UK flagged vessel (or any red ensign group vessel) as it is not one of the certificates of competency that satisfies the UK (or red ensign group) manning requirements.

The restrictions of issue and use

Resolution 40 states that the ICC may be issued by a government to its nationals and residents who are operators of pleasure craft in the waters of other signatory countries, on condition that it accepts the requirements and conditions set out in the resolution. This means that a UK ICC should allow British nationals and residents to navigate British flagged pleasure craft to or in the waters of foreign states that participate in Resolution 40, without the need to comply with those states' national certification requirements, which in many cases are compulsory.

The UK is one of only a few countries which have fully accepted Resolution 40. Many countries have not adopted Resolution 40, some still apply Resolution 14 which Resolution 40 was intended to replace and others only apply Resolution 40 in part or with caveats attached.

The RYA can issue an ICC to any British national or resident over the age of 16 who either holds one of the appropriate RYA certificates or passes the ICC practical assessment (and if applicable the CEVNI test) in accordance with the UN ECE ITC's Resolution 40 International Certificate for Operator of Pleasure Craft. What boat it is then "valid" on is up to the authorities of the country in which it is to be used.

It may be acceptable for visiting UK flagged vessels, it may be acceptable for UK flagged vessels being kept there and it may be acceptable on vessels flagged in that country, but this is all at the discretion of the country in question.
Boating Inland and CEVNI

Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure (CEVNI) is the code governing navigation on the interconnected European inland waterways and is the basis of the various countries' own regulations. Signs, rules and procedures for navigating the European inland waterways are all included within CEVNI and in the same way as pleasure craft on coastal waters are expected to abide by the COLREGS, pleasure craft on the inland waterways of Europe, which in places are heavily utilised by commercial traffic are expected to know and follow CEVNI.

Knowing and abiding by the regulations is the best way to protect yourself and your boat and if you wish to have an ICC which is valid for inland waters then you must pass a test on CEVNI.
Wider acceptance of the ICC

Countries that have not adopted Resolution 40 may still accept the ICC and/or other RYA certificates, but this can only be guaranteed where this has been stated within the national legislation. In reality many EU States choose to accept the ICC even though they have not adopted the resolution – but of course this is on their terms and can be subject to local variations. Spain, Greece and Portugal, for example, have not adopted Resolution 40 but are still most likely to ask visitors for an ICC. In reality, the ICC is more widely accepted as proof of the holder's competence than adoption of Resolution 40 would suggest.

Some states may accept the UK (RYA) ICC as an alternative to their national qualification on their nationally flagged vessels, but this should never be assumed. The onus is on ICC holders to determine its acceptability by foreign states, as the ICC was never intended to be an alternative to individual national qualification requirements.

The RYA through the European Boating Association, is working towards wider acceptance of Resolution 40 and conformity in its application. Once Resolution 40 is universally adopted, the ICC may then become more like an international driving licence in application for visitors.

The required sailing ability may be gained by completing the Day Skipper practical course, followed by a varied and comprehensive level of cruising experience. Probably the most useful practice will be gained by skippering a yacht.

Obtaining an ICC

To obtain an ICC you must prove your competence. If you have attended a RYA practical training course presenting your certificate with your ICC application form may be sufficient, otherwise you will need to take a practical test.

If needed we may assess you for an ICC over a weekend/5 day sail school. Alternatively this can be done aboard your own boat.

For more info, contact us

FOR FULL EXPLANITION & ON-LINE APPLICATION FORMS SEE THE RYA WEBSITE 'here'