ICC Assessment Day

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is a test of competence that provides the student with an internationally recognised qualification. Previous yacht sailing experience is required.

Some countries accept RYA qualifications, while others require you to have an ICC. The ICC is essential and recommended if you want to sail Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Turkey, for example. However, obtaining your ICC doesn’t mean you don’t have to do any homework before you head off for your sailing destination. You can’t rely on the ICC as internationally accepted evidence of competence, as it hasn’t been accepted by all countries. You still need to research which documents you need to prove your competence in the country you want to sail in.

The ICC assessment is a mix of theoretical and practical elements. Before you join us; you should be familiar with collision regulations, safety on board, basic chart work and pilotage. We recommend that you take the online RYA Essential Navigation course, prior to attending an ICC assessment. This will give you a basic introduction to chart work. This is a fun and interactive 6-8 hours course that you take online. 

There are 3 ways to gain your ICC:

  1. Convert your existing RYA Day Skipper, RYA Coastal Skipper or RYA Yachtmaster qualification into an ICC. If you already hold your RYA Day Skipper, or higher, qualification you can apply direct to the RYA. The RYA is authorised to issue the ICC on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. There may be a fee for this, although this service should be free to RYA members. 
  2. Take an ICC assessment with Prometheus Sailing. We stage regular ICC assessment days throughout the year and, as the UK partner of Sunsail Worldwide Sailing, we are very experienced in delivering these courses for those wishing to charter overseas.  
  3. Take your RYA Day Skipper with us and then use this qualification to apply for your ICC if you need it.

Eligibility

The certificate is available to a person who fulfils the following eligibility criteria:

  • has reached the age of 16;
  • is physically and mentally fit to operate a pleasure craft, and in particular, has sufficient powers of vision and hearing;
  • presents one of the specified UK certificates or has successfully passed an ICC examination to prove the necessary competence for pleasure craft operation; and
  • who demonstrates their nationality or residency to show that their nationality does not preclude them from being issued with an ICC by the RYA. *

*Most EU Nationals are eligible to apply for the ICC but please note that The ICC cannot be issued to applicants who are from a country who has signed Resolution 40. For a list of ineligible countries please see the RYA website.

What’s Included

  • 1 day onboard the Prometheus 41 yacht (9am- 5pm)
  • ICC examiner
  • Lunch 
  • Soft drinks and snacks 
  • Wet weather gear 
  • Fuel, gas and engine hours

Cost

£199pp

Issue of the ICC is 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).