ICC Assessment

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

We partner with other local RYA centres such as Flying Fish Australia and Eastsail to conduct training and assessment for the ICC. Training and assessment is conducted by these partner centres either on your boat* or their RYA approved vessels.

*conditions apply

What is an ICC?

Many European countries require the skipper of a pleasure craft to provide evidence of his or her competence in the form of an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

As many countries now require visiting yachtsmen to hold formal qualifications, the ICC provides documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets an agreed level of competence. The ICC is a test of competence, it is not a qualification.

If you are planning to charter a vessel in European water or inland waterways, this is of extreme importance. Although this is widely accepted in the European Union, there are variations so should always check what are the requirements for different foreign countries before you go.

How to get an ICC?

By completing a practical and theory assessment for the category of ICC required. This assessment will prove whether you are competent in certain areas of seamanship. An RYA Day Skipper practical certificate for sail or power (or above) is sufficient to prove competency. If you use your own boat for the test, the boat owner or candidate being tested is responsible for the vessel at all time.

Categories of ICC

The ICC assessment you take should be relevant to the type of boat you plan to use and the type of waters you intend to enter. The ICC can be valid for:

Sailing boats

It should also be noted that 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).

NOTE:

The RYA cannot process ICC applications for any citizens of the 57 UNECE countries unless you are a UK resident. A full list of these countries can be found on the front page of application form. Please ensure you are eligible before arranging to take the test or ask your Training Centre to confirm this.

ICC Application

Please download the application form and have a look. Once successful, the Principal or Chief Instructor from one of our partner RYA centres will sign the relevant parts of the application as evidence of competence. You will then be responsible for assembling all the other information and supporting documents and sending the completed application to the RYA. An additional application fee will be paid directly to the RYA. All matters related to the application form will be dealt between you and the RYA.

If you have extensive sailing experience:

  • Book your assessment.

  • You have the option of doing it on your boat contingent on approval from our partner centre, or charter one of the their boats.

  • If bringing your own boat, it has has to meet the criteria set by our partner centres, which include, but are not limited to:

    • Insured for third party liability and training.

    • Agree that throughout the training and assessment you will remain the master responsible for the vessel.

    • Vessel is seaworthy and meets local requirements with respect to safety and requirements and RYA standards.

  • Allow 3 to 4 hours

  • Please bring at least one crew

  • Please do a self-assessment – page 3 of application - Assessment of Competence section

If you are not very experienced:

  • We recommend you take a RYA Day Skipper Practical with one of our partner RYA centres which will enable you to then apply for an ICC without an additional assessment.

Or, if you are just rusty, a training session can be arranged with our partner RYA centres prior to the assessment. Please allow a full day. There is no guarantee that private session will result in a positive assessment outcome.

How to Book:

For prices and availability please get in touch with us by email.