The ICC 

Scope of the ICC

Boating Inland and CEVNI

How to apply for an ICC

How to renew an ICC

Who to contact with any queries

 

SCOPE OF THE ICC 

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.

The resolution 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 Resolution 40. This means that a UK ICC should allow UK Citizens and bonafide UK residents to navigate pleasure craft to or in the waters of foreign states that participate in Resolution 40, without the need to comply with those states’ Cabotage laws, particularly their 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. Others only apply Resolution 40 in part or with caveats attached. In reality, however, the ICC is more widely accepted as proof of the holder’s competence. Spain, Greece and Portugal for example, have not adopted Resolution 40 but are still most likely to ask visitors for an ICC.

Some states may accept 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.

The ICC was never intended to be an alternative to individual national qualification requirements. The advice to anyone planning to charter abroad is to obtain from the charter company (preferably in writing) details of the certification they require, what cruising area this is acceptable for and that this certification will also meet the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned.

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.

BOATING INLAND AND CEVNI

CEVNI stands for Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure. It is the code governing navigation on the interconnected European inland waterways and is the basis of the various countries' own regulations.

Signs, rules and procdures for navigating the European inland waterways are all included within the CEVNI code 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 the CEVNI code.

Knowing and abiding by the regulations is the best way to protect yourself and your boat.

If you require an ICC valid for use on inland waters, you must learn the CEVNI code and sit the CEVNI test at an RYA recognised training centre. The "RYA European waterways regulations (the CEVNI rules explained)" publication G17 provides the information you need to learn the code in a clear and concise way. The CEVNI test is a short multiple choice paper - a sample paper is available and this can also be found at the back of the book.

The training centre will, confirm successful completion of the test by signing the relevant section of the ICC application form - there is no separate certificate. In addition to the passing the CEVNI test, you must present a qualifying RYA practical course completion certificate or pass an ICC practical test at an RYA recognised training centre and be eligible to be issued with an ICC.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ICC 

The RYA is the UK issuing authority for the International Certificate of Competence (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 at a RYA recognised training centre.

The UK (RYA) ICC has six categories. When an ICC certificate is issued, only the categories for which competence has been proven will be validated.    

 

Coastal	The RYA practical training course or practical test must have been taken on coastal waters.
Inland	The applicant must have passed the CEVNI test at a RYA recognised training centre.
Power up to 10m	Which of these categories are validated, depends on which certificates the applicant presents with their application form or in the case of a practical test, is related to the vessel on which the test was completed. (See the back of the ICC application form for details).
Power 10m and over
Sail
Personal Watercraft	This category will only be validated if a RYA Personal Watercraft Proficiency Certificate is presented as proof of competence. The practical test is not available for PW.

Once you have established how to prove your competence to ensure you receive an ICC validated for the categories you require, you need to complete an ICC application form. This should be sent, together with a passport sized photograph, and payment (see the application form for the current charge) to the Certification Department. Issue of the ICC is free of charge for RYA members.

Note: the skipper and crew of a pleasure craft which exceeds both 24m (load line) length and 80GT must comply with the Merchant Shipping Manning regulations as summarised in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1802. (A pleasure vessel less than 24m or 80GT need not comply with these manning regulations.)

If your vessel is registered in one of the Crown Dependencies, you will need to comply with the regulations applied by that Dependency’s administration, which may differ.

HOW TO RENEW AN ICC

If you are still living at the same address, shortly before your ICC is due to expire, you will receive notification of how to renew it by post. If you have moved, or your renewal notification does not arrive, you can request a copy by email from the certification department or by telephoning    0845 345 0376   . Alternatively, the form is available in the downloads area.

WHO TO CONTACT WITH ANY QUERIES

If you have a query relating to the ICC, this is best directed as follows:

Certification department:

• Request an application form
• Find out what has happened to an application
• Cost of having an ICC issued

Training department:

• How to arrange an ICC test
• How to arrange a CEVNI test

Cruising department:

• Foreign regulations - is an ICC required or recommended?