The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or also referred to as the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft is a test of competence that provides the student with an internationally recognised qualification. It is issued under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Inland Transport Committee Working Party on Inland Water Transport Resolution No. 40. The ICC, or higher certification, is required in most European countries where governments are increasingly looking for recognised certificates to confirm the student reaches an internationally agreed level of competence.
We have received many a call from students only halfway through their Day Skipper course who have just found their boats impounded as they can not prove the required level of training.
If you do not have any formal qualifications, then there are only two ways to earn the ICC in Australia:
1) If you are an experienced yacht skipper with a good theory knowledge, then you can undertake the ICC assessment. This is a 4 hour assessment of your theory knowledge and practical sailing skills. The theory knowledge is equivalent to Day Skipper theory level. You will need to have a good knowledge of the collision regulations, buoyage and pilotage, safety, navigation (plotting a 3 point fix, plotting a fix by lat / long, working out a magnetic course to steer allowing for tidal set and drift using tidal diamonds / atlas and application of leeway.
The practical sailing assessment is being able to depart a leeward berth using a bow or stern spring to spring off, come alongside a windward berth and secure the yacht, MOB recovery, picking up and securing to / slipping from mooring buoys and general sailing on all points of sail.
2) Completion of the Day Skipper Practical course, or any RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence.
For those looking for a practical assessment, we have a number of great providers we can recommend depending on your location. Please contact us, tell us where you are and we will send you the details of the people to contact.
If you have completed an RYA Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper practical course, or you have obtained the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore, or Ocean Certificate of Competence, you can request the ICC without any further assessment.
