International Certificate of Competence

The ICC provides documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets the levels of competence laid down in Resolution 40.

It is the professional opinion of the UNECE IWC that the standards set out in Resolution 40 provide a reasonable and appropriate level of competence for day sailing with due regard to the safety of navigation and crew and the protection of the environment.

It is strongly recommended that governments recognise this rather than be drawn into discussions on where the ICC may or may not fit into their own national schemes – much the same as acceptance of the international driving licence.

In reality many countries choose to accept the ICC even though they have not adopted the resolution – but of course this is on their terms and can be subject to local variations.

In reality, the ICC is more widely accepted as proof of the holder’s competence than adoption of Resolution 40 would suggest.

[6] The following UNECE member states have adopted Resolution 40 and thus officially accept the ICC as a proof of competence in their territories:[3] Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa (not a member state), Switzerland the United Kingdom and Ukraine.

International Yacht Training Worldwide (IYT Worldwide), The Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) are with the authority of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved to issue ICCs to those who meet the mandated requirements and the competency requirements.

In the USA, NauticEd International Sailing Education facilitates the issuance of the ICC through the UK government via the Royal Yachting Association.

Estonia requires operators of a small pleasure craft (2.5-24 m with 25 m2 sail area or 25 kW+ power) to have an International Certificate of Competence.