ICC (International Certificate of Competence)


Email: training@aiguaseaschool.com
or call us at any time on (+34) 871 23 03 73 or UK Tel 0113 815 1385

ICC 2011 changes

Changes to the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) were made in the spring of 2011 allowing the certificate to be more widely available. Through the RYA, Aigua is now able to train and assess nationals of non-UNECE countries and USA and Canadian nationals. This ground breaking development means that the much coveted certificate is open to citizens other than those of Great Britain.

Previously, we were restricted in offering ICC training and an assessment as it was formerly a ‘very British thing’. We had to carefully vet the candidates to ensure they were British passport holders or residents of the UK and could prove it with legitimate proof of address. To be honest, if ever I had the slightest doubt, I called the certification department of the RYA and checked and double checked before even taking the booking.

So to the official bit: this new amendment to Resolution 40, which regulates the issue of ICC including to whom it can be issued, syllabus requirements and layout of the certificate, means that, through the RYA, Aigua will now be able to train and assess nationals of countries outside the UNECE.

As always Aigua adheres to the strict guidelines set down by the RYA and the statement from Richard Falk, the training manager, wrote “RYA recognised training centres will need to determine candidates’ eligibility for the ICC, in short to determine that they are a British national or resident, a national of the USA or Canada or a national of any country that is not a member of UNECE.”

There is no change to proof of competence needed to get an ICC or how it can be used.

In the RYA Wavelength magazine for spring 2011, it states “The ICC is the only international evidence of competence that exists for pleasure boaters in Europe” thus making it a widely respected and much coveted certificate.

So, what does the ICC mean?

An ICC allows the holder to voyage internationally in waters where the country being visited has chosen to accept it, plus being subject to any prescriptions made by the visited country. We often refer to the ICC as a ‘driving licence’ but you have to be careful if sailing in remote areas to check the requirements of the waters in which you are sailing. As stated by the RYA, ‘Pleasure boaters must remember to comply with the regulations of both the country of registration (the Flag State) and the requirements of the visited country (the Coastal State)’.

The RYA has launched a new edition of the RYA ICC handbook (G81) which is available at Aigua Sea School. The book explains the ICC in great detail: what it is, why it came about, who it applies to and the requirements to obtain one. It also explains the content of the ICC test and introduces the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (IRPCS). Aigua Sea School invites all queries about the ICC and will advise, assist, train and assess candidates who are now eligible.

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For more info email: training@aiguaseaschool.com
or call us at any time on (+34) 871 23 03 73 or UK Tel 0113 815 1385