International boat license or ICC / International Certificate of Competence

1. What is an ICC ?


ICC = International Certificate of Competence for operators of pleasure craft issued by an UNECE member state that has adopted resolution 40.


IT IS NOT AN INTERNATIONAL BOATING LICENSE

IT IS ONLY FOR INLAND WATERS, BUT ACCEPTED IN COASTAL WATERS

The UNECE stands for United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

The ICC is :

• It’s a certificate of competence that you have received a standard training in theory X and Practical Y

Link below to the theory and practical training requirements

https://unece.org/DAM/trans/doc/2015/...

On Page 4

The applicant has to prove in an examination:

a. sufficient knowledge of the regulations concerning pleasure craft operation and nautical and technical knowledge required for safe navigation on inland waters and/or coastal waters; and

b. the ability to apply this knowledge in practice.

• It’s based on your national license, but IT IS NOT a license on itself. Although in some countries it may be mentioned on the countries national license.

Example picture Belgium / Netherlands
Example UK level 2 and UK ICC separate

2. Why was an ICC Needed?

Some countries did not accept another country license and that caused problems.


Problem 1:

Belgian boater crossed the river and is immediately in the Netherlands.

He needed a Dutch license since his license was not accepted.

SOLUTION = ICC

CREATED FOR INLAND WATERS, NOT FOR THE SEA


Problem 2:

Some countries have NO LICENSE to go out on the sea. For example, Belgium does not have a special license for coastal waters but in France you need one.

So, a Belgium person going to France could not legally Navigate in French Coastal waters.

SOLUTION = ICC

They accepted the ICC for Coastal waters only



ATTENTION!!!

THE ICC IS NOT FOR GOING OUTSIDE COASTAL WATERS


Your insurance might not cover you if you are involved in an accident outside coastal waters.





3. What is considered coastal waters?

Well that depends on the country you navigate in.

For example:

France = up to 6 Nm

Spain = up to 12 Nm


So, for example, with an ICC you CAN NOT navigate for example from St. Tropez to Corsica.

4. Witch country has accepted resolution 40 ?

In the link below you can find all the countries that have adapted Resolution 40.

https://unece.org/icc-resolution-no-40

What if the country you are a national on, is on the list?

You can get an ICC only from sitting the exams in the country you are a national from

OR

You can get an ICC from the actual country that you are living in if that is also on the list.

Example 1:

You are a Dutch person that is living in London / uk

Both countries signed Resolution 40, so you can get an ICC in Holland or in the UK with for example with RYA, but you need proof that you live in the UK.


Example 2:

You are a Dutch Person living in France.

France has NOT accepted resolution 40 since it is
NOT IN THE LIST,
so, you can get an ICC only in the Netherlands


Example 3:

You are a French person.
France has NOT accepted resolution 40 since it is
NOT IN THE LIST,
so, you can get an ICC from any country.

We know it is sometimes very confusing for people to understand, but I thought it was necessary to put out an information video about this topic.

I hope it helps you to bring some clarity to the subject.


Last important note:

If you received an ICC without any practical training, it is your responsibility that you understand the practical use of a boat.

We have lots of people that come to us for training that already have an ICC but have never been in a boat before.

It is your responsibility to get that practical training, not only for yourself but also for your family on board of the boat and fellow boaters and their safety.

Your insurance might claim back any damage or injury on you as a person if you did not have the right training.

It’s NOT worth the RISK



For more info, please contact us by e-mail or check our website on www.adventure-sports.eu