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ICC Assessment Day

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is a test of competence that provides the student with an internationally recognised qualification. As proof of your competency at sea, it’s an essential requirement for skippers interested in international sailing and one of the first steps for venturing into the ocean. 

Why Take the International Certificate of Competence?

The International Certificate of Competence is a widely recognised formal qualification that demonstrates your ability to safely skipper your own vessel. It’s accepted by various maritime authorities and charter companies worldwide, including the UK government.

Essentially, being ICC qualified allows you to legally skipper yachts and small vessels in many international waters. It serves as an official recognition of a basic level of sailing competence in coastal waters. 

While some countries accept RYA qualifications, others specifically require an International Certificate of Competence. For example, the ICC certificate is essential for sailing in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. 

However, you can’t rely on the ICC as universal evidence of competence, as it hasn’t been accepted by all countries. It’s still your responsibility to research the documents required to provide evidence of competence in the foreign country you want to sail in.

Contact us to learn about our various courses for beginner, intermediate and advanced skippers.

Course Details

The International Certificate of Competence test combines both theoretical and practical elements. Before you join us, you should be familiar with:

  • Collision regulations 

  • Safety on board 

  • Basic chart work 

  • Pilotage 

We strongly recommend taking the online RYA Essential Navigation course before submitting the ICC application and attending the sailing course. This fun and interactive 6-8-hour online course guides you through chart work, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the assessment. 

Acquiring an ICC Sailing Certificate

There are three ways to gain your ICC sailing certification in the UK: 

  1. Convert your existing RYA qualification. If you already hold your RYA Day Skipper, or higher, qualification, you can apply directly to the RYA. 

  2. Take an ICC assessment with Prometheus Sailing. We stage regular ICC assessment days throughout the year. As the UK partner of Sunsail Worldwide Sailing, we’re very experienced in delivering these courses for those wishing to charter overseas.  

  3. Complete your RYA Day Skipper practical with us and then use this qualification to apply for your ICC if needed. 

Eligibility

The ICC sailing course in the UK is available to a person who fulfils the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years old

  • Be physically and mentally fit to operate a pleasure craft, with sufficient vision and hearing

  • Hold an accepted UK certificate or pass an ICC examination 

  • Demonstrate nationality or residency that allows the ICC to be issued by the RYA. *

*Most EU Nationals are eligible to apply for the ICC. However, the ICC cannot be issued to applicants who are from a country that has signed Resolution 40. 

What’s Included

  • 1 day onboard the Prometheus 41 yacht (9 am-5 pm)

  • ICC examiner

  • Lunch 

  • Soft drinks and snacks 

  • Wet weather gear 

  • Fuel, gas and engine hours

Cost

£210 per person

The issue of the ICC is usually free of charge for existing RYA members. You can also join the RYA at the same time as you apply for the ICC and have your ICC issued free of charge. This may be cheaper than paying for the certificate to be issued (see the ICC application form for the current fees).

 

Facts and Figures

Recommended Pre-Course Experience

Online RYA Essential Navigation course, RYA Day Skipper, RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Yachtmaster

Prior Days at Sea Required

0

Night Hours

0

Prior Sailing Miles Required

0

Prior Days as Skipper Required

0

Minimum Age

16

Days on board

1

Maximum Ratio

5:1

 

Book your ICC Assessment today!

Explore a variety of RYA-accredited courses, including the RYA Start Yachting course, RYA Competent Crew Course and RYA Day Skipper Theory Course.

Syllabus

  • Departing a Pontoon

    • Provide a safety briefing on the use of safety equipment

    • Crew Communication 

    • Use of springs

    • Fender positioning

    • Man overboard (MOB) procedures

    • Correct direction and speed of approach

    • Contact with MOB or can instruct crew to make contact

  • Alongside Skills

    • Communication with crew

    • Awareness of other water users

    • Use of warps/fenders

    • Correct angle and speed of approach

    • Securing the boat to the pontoon

  • 360-Degree Turn

    How to do a 360-degree turn (in a confined space)

  • Securing to a Mooring Buoy

    • Crew Communication 

    • Preparing warp

    • Correct angle and speed of approach

    • Securing the boat effectively

    • Departing from the buoy safely

  • Handling Under Sail

    • Choosing suitable sails for prevailing conditions

    • Choosing a suitable area for hoisting/lowering sails

    • Trimming sails correctly

    • Communicating with the crew before undertaking any manoeuvres

    • Undertaking a check of the area before tacking and gybing

  • Power Manoeuvres

    • Awareness for other water users

    • Recognition of manoeuvring signals

    • Use of a kill cord

    • Choosing a suitable area to carry out manoeuvres

    • Carrying out an emergency stop

    • Able to control speed on turns and warning crew before starting and executing emergency turns

  • Planning

    • Sources of weather information, interpreting a forecast and its impact on a passage

    • Can prepare a simple passage plan (tidal and non-tidal)

  • Collision Regulations

    • Knows rules relating to Traffic Separation Schemes

    • Can identify possible collision situations

    • Knows the requirements for navigation lights and shapes to be displayed on a vessel

    • Can recognise the following from the lights: power-driven, sailing vessel, vessel at anchor, tug and tow, dredger

    • Knows sound signals to be made by: power-driven vessel, sailing vessel, vessel at anchor, tug and tow, dredger

    • Knowledge of all other rules (excluding annexes)

  • Navigation

    • Can interpret a navigational chart, understand the significance of charted depths and drying heights and can identify charted hazards

    • Track and plot position via cross bearings

    • Knows sources of information on: local regulations, port entry and departure signals, VTS and Port Operations Radio

    • Determine the magnetic course for steering, accounting for tidal stream

    • Can use a tide table to determine water heights and times

    • Can plan a harbour entry/departure, taking account of the possible presence of large vessels and avoiding navigational hazards

    • Can fix a position and understands the importance of verification of position from at least two sources

    • Basic use of GPS

    • Can source weather information, interpret a forecast and its impact on a passage and the sea state

    • Understands various methods of sending a distress signal with reference to Annexe IV of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS)