ICC (International Certificate of Competence) Sail

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) sailing certificate

Bareboat Yacht Charter and Flotilla Sailing holidays in Greece  - To charter a yacht bareboat or sail a yacht in a flotilla in Greece you ideally need to hold a sailing certificate or qualification such as RYA Day Skipper or the ICC (International Certificate of Competence).

The ICC is a useful certificate to have as many countries, not just Greece, require you to hold a certificate of competence when chartering a yacht and the ICC will generally be accepted where proof of competence is required.

Getting your ICC can be quick and simple and will allow you to enjoy the freedom of bareboat yachting and flotilla sailing in the beautiful waters of the Greek Ionian. So, if you are planning to sail or cruise within Europe and the Mediterranean it is a good idea for skippers to hold the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

How to get an ICC

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) and the International Yacht Training Worldwide (IYT Worldwide) can issue ICCs. Any nationality can obtain an ICC.

There are a number of ways to obtain an ICC:

  • If you already have a RYA or ISA Day Skipper certificate or higher qualification or an acceptable IYT Worldwide Certificate of Competency you can send the ICC application form which can be found on the RYA, ISA or IYT website and a photocopy of your sailing certificate to the RYA, ISA or IYT. Or

  • You can take a practical assessment at an RYA Training Centre, an RYA Affiliated Club or an ISA recognised Teaching Establishment authorised to carry out ICC assessments. The syllabus is outlined in the ICC application form. The test lasts approximately half a day to a day and can be taken on your own boat or one provided by a school or club.

The test includes; questions on safety, collision avoidance and for coastal waters; navigation and piloting. If you have no knowledge of navigation or collision regulations then you can arrange for 1-2 days of intensive shore based tuition. If you already have knowledge of navigation, collision regulations and basic boat handling the simplest way to achieve your ICC is to attend a 1 or 2 day assessment course (depending on skill level) or book a day of own boat tuition. Assessments and courses are often ran at weekends.

If you are an RYA member your ICC will be issued free of charge, otherwise there is an administration fee payable. There is also an option to fast track your ICC application (in 1-2 days) for an additional fee.

Bareboat yacht charter and flotilla sailing are the best ways to explore the the Greek Ionian islands and with the ICC sailing certificate you can enjoy the freedom and independence to choose exactly where you want to go, when and at what pace throughout your Greek island sailing holiday.

For information about ICC assessments or if you would like to have a general chat about your experience or qualifications call us on 0330 088 4744 or email contact@island-sailing.com

 

ORAL/ WRITTEN ELEMENTS

ALL CANDIDATES

Regulations

  • Knows responsibility for keeping a proper lookout.
  • Can determine a ‘safe speed’.
  • Can recognise a potential collision situation.
  • Can identify the ‘give way’ vessel in a collision situation.
  • Knows what action to take as ‘give way’ and ‘stand on’ vessel.
  • Knows the responsibilities of a small vessel in a narrow channel.
  • Can recognise manoeuvring signals (1,2,3 & 5 short blasts).
  • Can make and recognise visual distress signals.

Safety

  • Is able to use and instruct crew on the use of:

    • Life jackets
    • Distress alerting (eg, DSC VHF, EPIRB, Flares, etc)
    • Fire extinguishers
    • Kill cord (if fitted)
  • Can prepare a boat for us and take sensible precautions before setting out including:

    • Engine checks
    • Check fuel for range/ duration of trip
    • Obtain a weather forecast
    • Avoid overloading the boat

CANDIDATES FOR COSTAL WATERS ONLY

Regulations

  • Knows rules relating to Traffic Separation Schemes.
  • Knows requirements for navigation lights and shapes to be displayed by own vessel.
  • Can recognise the following from the lights;

    • Power driven
    • Sailing vessel
    • Vessel at anchor
    • Tug and tow
    • Fishing vessel
    • Dredger
  • Knows sound signals to be made by vessels as in Q3

Navigation (Chart and plotting instruments required)

  • Can interpret a navigational chart, understand the significance of charted depths and drying heights and can identify charted hazards.
  • Can plot position by cross bearings and by latitude/ longitude.
  • Can determine magnetic course to steer, making allowances for leeway and tidal stream.
  • Can use a tide table to find times and heights of high and low water at a standard port.
  • Can determine direction and rate of tidal stream from a tidal stream atlas or tidal diamonds on a chart.
  • Understands basic use of GPS.

Pilotage

  • Can recognise, by day and night, and understand the significance of buoys of the IALA system.
  • Knows sources of information on:

    • Local regulations
    • Port entry and departure signals
    • VTS and Port Operations Radio
  • Can plan a harbour entry/ departure, taking into account of the possible presence of large vessels and avoiding navigational hazards.

PRACTICAL ELEMENTS

ALL CANDIDATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Start

    • Give safety briefing including the use of safety equipment
    • Has listened to weather forecasts
    • Pre start engine checks
    • Use kill cord (if fitted)
    • Start engine
    • Check cooling
    • Knows fuel range
  • Depart from pontoon

    • Understands use of springs to depart from lee wall/ pontoon
    • Communicate with crew
    • Position fenders correctly
  • 360 turn in a confined space
  • Securing to a buoy

    • Communicate effectively with crew
    • Prepare warp
    • Choose correct angle of approach
    • Control speed of approach
    • Secure boat effectively
    • Depart from the mooring safely
  • Man overboard

    • Observe MOB or instruct crew to do so
    • Demonstrate correct direction and speed of approach
    • Make suitable contact with MOB
  • Planning speed manoeuvres (if appropriate)

    • Choose suitable area
    • Show awareness of other water users
    • Warn crew before each manoeuvre
    • Look around before S and U turns
    • Control speed on U turns
  • Handling under sail (if appropriate)

    • Sail triangular course with one leg to windward
    • Choose suitable area for hoisting/ lowering sails
    • Use sails suitable for prevailing conditions
    • Show awareness of wind direction
    • Trim sails correctly on each point of sail
    • Warn crew before manoeuvres
    • Look around before tacking and gybing
    • Control sails during tacking and gybing
  • Coming alongside windward pontoon

    • Communicate effectively with crew
    • Show awareness of other water users
    • Prepare warps/ fenders
    • Choose correct angle of approach
    • Control speed of approach
    • Stop boat in place required and secure to pontoon
    • Stop engine