Some countries require the skipper of a boat to be able to provide evidence of competence. It can be essential to carry an International Certificate of Competence when sailing or chartering in Europe or the Mediterranean.
The ICC
The International Certificate of Competence course (ICC) was originally designed to include the differing international regulations laid out by multiple countries for demonstrating sailing competence. It is generally recommended when chartering a boat abroad.
If you have completed an RYA practical training course with Bluewater Sailing, then submitting the course completion certificate with the application may suffice. Alternatively, Bluewater Sailing offers practical sailing assessments for the ICC application. Please contact us for further information. You can download the ICC application form here.
The International Certificate of Competence is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
If a boat owner is asked to present evidence of competence when visiting another country, the ICC will frequently meet these requirements. It can also be useful for people wishing to charter boats when abroad.
The ICC does not replace the need to comply with any manning requirements imposed by the country in which the boat is registered, wherever in the world the boat may be. Where evidence of competence is required by the country of registration, pleasure boaters must comply with the regulations of both the country of registration (the Flag State) and the requirements of the visited country (the Coastal State).
Wide Acceptance of the ICC
The International Certificate of Competence is accepted throughout Europe, however, it is not intended to be an alternative to individual national qualification requirements. An ICC allows the holder to voyage internationally, but only where the country to be visited has chosen to accept it and subject to any prescriptions made by the visited country. The ICC’s validity is determined by the visited country it is not a truly international qualification. However, the ICC is the only international evidence of competence that exists for pleasure boaters in Europe.