ICCSail · intermediate

International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The ICC is an assessment rather than a taught course. It certifies that you can handle a vessel safely and competently, and it is the document most often requested by charter companies and foreign authorities. We run a short preparation programme covering the full ICC syllabus followed by the assessment itself, with the CEVNI test available for anyone planning to cruise European inland waterways.

Syllabus Highlights

4 sections · 8 topics · 174 outcomes

Full RYA syllabus →

Prerequisite Knowledge

Before you book

Required RYA qualifications

RYAPractical experience equivalent to RYA Day Skipper level
RYAor completion of Day Skipper Practical. CEVNI test required for inland European waterways

Level · intermediate

Where we run it

Available locations

Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona

See scheduled dates →

Enrollment

Enroll on International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

Enrolling creates your course record so you can follow the syllabus, access course materials, track competencies and book practical sessions when dates suit you.

Delivered by Mt Sail & Power. Questions before you start? sail@mtsail.com

Before you join

Pre-course knowledge check

A five-minute self-assessment of your theory and practical experience. Your instructor uses it to pitch the course at the right level — and you get instant suggestions for anything worth brushing up.

Start the checklist

Course Content

What you'll cover

What the ICC is, eligibility and CEVNI

3 lessonsOpen

Scope of the certificate, who needs it and the inland waterways test.

Notes & self-check quiz

What the ICC is, eligibility and CEVNI

Learning objectives

Understand what the ICC certifies, where it is recognised and its limits.
Check your eligibility and choose the right categories and endorsements.
Understand the CEVNI test for European inland waterways.

About the certificate

The ICC is issued under a United Nations ECE resolution and is the certificate most charter companies and foreign authorities ask to see. It is not a training course: it certifies that an assessor has seen you handle a vessel safely.

Key points

Categories are issued for power and/or sail, and for coastal waters and/or inland waterways, up to 24 metres.
The inland waterways endorsement requires the CEVNI test — a rules-of-the-road exam for European inland waterways covering signs, signals and lights.
Applicants must normally be at least 16 and hold the required residency or eligibility for the issuing authority.
Holding RYA Day Skipper practical or above allows the ICC to be issued directly in many cases.

Common mistakes

Assuming the ICC covers inland waterways without the CEVNI endorsement.
Applying for sail only, then chartering a motor yacht.

Self-check

Say which categories and endorsements your planned cruising actually requires.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What does the CEVNI test cover?
2. Up to what vessel length is the ICC normally issued?
3. Is the ICC a training course?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

Preparation for sea and safety equipment

3 lessonsOpen

Checks, safety gear and legal requirements.

Notes & self-check quiz

Preparation for sea and safety equipment

Learning objectives

Carry out pre-departure checks on hull, engine, fuel, water and safety equipment.
Show that required safety equipment is aboard, accessible and serviceable.
Brief crew on safety and their responsibilities.

What the assessor looks for

That you take charge of the vessel properly before it moves: checks done, crew briefed, equipment known.

Key points

Engine checks: oil, coolant, belt, raw water strainer, fuel, and cooling water at the exhaust after starting.
Safety equipment: lifejackets fitted and adjusted, flares in date, fire extinguishers, first aid, bilge pump, anchor ready to let go.
Know the vessel's documentation and any local requirements for the waters you are in.
The crew brief covers lifejackets, gas, fire, MOB, VHF and where everything lives.

Common mistakes

Starting the engine and leaving before anyone has been briefed.
Not knowing where the vessel's flares and seacocks are.

Self-check

Run a full pre-departure check and crew brief without prompting.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What must be confirmed immediately after starting the engine?
2. When is the crew brief given?
3. Which of these must be checked for expiry?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

Boat handling under power

3 lessonsOpen

Manoeuvring the vessel with control.

Notes & self-check quiz

Boat handling under power

Learning objectives

Manoeuvre ahead and astern under control at slow speed.
Turn the vessel in a confined space.
Allow for wind and tidal stream in every manoeuvre.

What the assessor looks for

Control, awareness and forethought, not speed or flourish.

Key points

Approach at the slowest speed that maintains steerage; use short bursts of power for control.
Know the vessel's pivot point, prop walk direction and stopping distance before you need them.
Assess wind and tide before every manoeuvre and say out loud what you have decided.
Keep a lookout throughout — competence includes what is going on around you.

Common mistakes

Focusing entirely on the berth and losing awareness of other traffic.
Excessive throttle giving speed you then have to remove.

Self-check

Turn the vessel in her own length in both directions and describe the effect of prop walk.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What should govern approach speed?
2. Before each manoeuvre, what do you assess?
3. Prop walk affects the vessel most in?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

Securing to a buoy, berth and anchor

3 lessonsOpen

Arriving, staying put and leaving safely.

Notes & self-check quiz

Securing to a buoy, berth and anchor

Learning objectives

Pick up and leave a mooring buoy under control.
Berth alongside and depart in the prevailing conditions.
Anchor with appropriate scope and recover the anchor.

What the assessor looks for

A briefed crew, a planned approach, appropriate lines and fenders, and a tidy result.

Key points

Fenders and lines rigged before the approach begins, at the height for the berth.
One good line first — usually a midships spring — then adjust at leisure.
Anchoring: choose the spot for shelter, holding and swinging room; veer at least 4x the maximum depth of chain.
Leaving: plan the exit before you arrive, especially in a cross wind.

Common mistakes

Rigging fenders once alongside.
Anchoring without allowing for the rise of tide or the swinging circle.

Self-check

Brief an approach and departure including lines, fenders, roles and the abort plan.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. When should fenders and lines be prepared?
2. Minimum chain scope in all-chain rode?
3. Which line usually gives the most control on arrival alongside?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

Man overboard and emergency response

3 lessonsOpen

Recovery, distress calls and dealing with failures.

Notes & self-check quiz

Man overboard and emergency response

Learning objectives

Recover a man overboard under power in a single controlled approach.
Make a distress call and use DSC correctly.
Respond to fire, flooding and engine failure.

What the assessor looks for

A controlled return, the casualty approached from the correct side, and the vessel stopped in the right place.

Key points

Shout, throw, point; assign a dedicated spotter; press MOB on the plotter.
Approach so the casualty ends up amidships on the leeward side, engine in neutral before contact.
MAYDAY format: MAYDAY x3, vessel name x3, callsign, position, nature of distress, assistance required, persons aboard, over.
Never put the propeller near a person in the water.

Common mistakes

Approaching from downwind so the vessel drifts over the casualty.
Leaving the engine in gear during the final approach.

Self-check

Recover a fender single-handed under power on the first attempt.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. The engine should be in neutral at what point?
2. On which side should the casualty be recovered?
3. What follows the callsign in a MAYDAY?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

Rules of the road, signals and navigation

3 lessonsOpen

Collision regulations, buoyage and passage awareness.

Notes & self-check quiz

Rules of the road, signals and navigation

Learning objectives

Apply the collision regulations under way, by day and by night.
Recognise buoyage, lights, shapes and sound signals.
Show basic navigation and position awareness appropriate to the waters.

What the assessor looks for

That you keep a proper lookout, act early and decisively, and can explain why.

Key points

Give-way situations: power gives way to sail (with exceptions), overtaking vessel keeps clear, on crossing courses the vessel with the other on her starboard side gives way.
Actions to avoid collision must be early, substantial and obvious to the other vessel.
IALA Region A: red can to port and green cone to starboard entering harbour; cardinal marks show where the safe water lies.
Sound signals: one short blast means "I am altering course to starboard", two short "to port", five or more short "I do not understand your intentions".

Common mistakes

Small alterations that leave the other vessel unsure what you are doing.
Assuming right of way exists — there is a give-way vessel and a stand-on vessel, and both must avoid collision.

Self-check

Identify the correct action in five crossing, overtaking and head-on scenarios.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. Two power vessels are crossing. Who gives way?
2. Five or more short blasts means?
3. Avoiding action should be?

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Assessment criteria and self-check45 min

RYA Syllabus

Learning outcomes

Preparation and safety

4 outcomes

Practical application2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Knowledge and explanation2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Boat handling

4 outcomes

Practical application2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Knowledge and explanation2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Emergencies

4 outcomes

Practical application2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Knowledge and explanation2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Rules and navigation

4 outcomes

Practical application2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Knowledge and explanation2

Can demonstrate the required standard consistently and without prompting
Can explain the reasoning behind the actions taken

Upcoming Sessions

Book your place

No sessions are currently scheduled. Contact us at sail@mtsail.com to request one.