FAQ: What is a certificate of competence?

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-09-04 08:35:00
Topic: Cruising Information

David Lomas, SV Kara I, Canada: I find the phrase "certificate of competence" throughout your documentation regarding entry procedures. I cannot, however. find any reference to, or definition of this phrase on your site.

Noonsite: Some countries require some sort of proof of qualification from the captain. If you have a USCG certificate, that is naturally perfect, but otherwise some sort of certificate issued by a sailing school or yacht club will do - as long as it looks "official". In the UK this is done by the RYA.

David Hatchman: I've looked at your FAC for Certificate of Competence and your reply is a little wide of the mark. The International Certificate of Competence is I think what you mean. In Europe you could find yourself in difficulty without one, the French may fine you, the Germans may fine you and impound your vessel, I believe the Greeks have a system of fines and penalties for not having one. There are accounts of yachtsmen being allowed to enter New Zealand but not leave until they have acquired one, and "any old certificate" will not do. To get the ICC in the UK you must have completed a five-day practical course run by a recognised school as a minimum prerequisite to qualifying for an ICC. Sadly as the rules are tightened in UK and Euro waters officials are asking for these troublesome pieces of paper more frequently. Certainly in Belgium and France in 2002 I was asked to produce it along with other ships papers; proof of VAT, SSR, Insurance, Passports and crew lists during "normal" customs checks in marinas. One UK skipper who didn't have one was fined £200 on the spot. However Noonsite is quite right the RYA are the people who can help in the UK.

Another query: I have sailed for 15 years and have a series of certificates from Basic cruising to coastal navigation from the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron (similar to USPS). Do these certificates and experience qualify for EU competency or do you have to take the RYA courses as well?

Jimmy replied: Your certificates sound quite adequate. Especially as such documents are very rarely - if ever- checked in the Med. You may need one in Turkey and in the Netherlands – those are the only two countries where I heard that officials asked to see them. So you should be OK.