ICC stands for International Certificate of Competence, and the ICC is basically a proof of boating competence accepted by some overseas states in lieu of a local licence. The requirement for a certificate of competence varies from country to country. Sometimes they are required for coastal waters, sometimes for inland waters, sometimes for neither and sometimes for both. As the skipper of a vessel, you must ensure that you are aware of any requirement for qualifications before venturing into another country's jurisdiction.
We have no licensing requirements in the UK – anyone can in theory buy a boat and use it at sea with no need for any qualifications (we say in theory because many insurance companies now require some form of evidence of competency such as an RYA qualification, and many marinas and harbour masters now require evidence of insurance, so it is becoming more and more necessary to have some marine qualification behind you).
Many other countries, and in particular many European countries, do have testing and licensing for their water users, and the ICC is accepted by some countries as alternative evidence of competence. It is worth noting however that the ICC is not a replacement licence, and that an ICC can only be issued in the UK to UK citizens or UK residents aged 16 or over. The ICC is also only designed for use on UK flagged (registered) boats, so it is well worth checking with your local charter firm abroad as to what paperwork may be required.
An ICC must be appropriate for the type of vessel you are using, and there are 2 categories for power driven vessels based on size – over or under 10 metres. To get an ICC under 10 m, the Powerboat Level 2 certificate is the simplest option. For over 10m, the Day Skipper Practical certificate is the equivalent, but in either case a straight test is another option instead of a course. To discuss your best option the simplest thing is to call or email us.
There is loads more information about the regulations and requirements when boating abroad including paperwork requirements, proving VAT status of boats, customs requirements etc., as well as lots more detailed information about the ICC on the RYA website HERE
You can download the ICC application form from our resources page.