The ICC, foreign licences and cruising permits
1The lesson in plain words
The ICC helps to prove your competence abroad. Many countries also charge a cruising fee or issue a permit; pay it before you need to show it.
The ICC
The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft, or ICC, follows UNECE Resolution No. 40, from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. A government or authorised body issues it after checking competence. It records categories such as motor or sail and coastal or inland waters; check any restrictions shown. For inland waters, demonstrate knowledge of the relevant navigation rules, including CEVNI, the European inland navigation rules. Your issuer decides how this is assessed.
Where it counts
Resolution 40 recommends acceptance of qualifying ICCs. Check each country's national rules and any conditions on recognition. Your certificate must cover the boat and waters. Many other countries accept it in practice, and charter companies often ask for it. It is not a universal licence. Check with the destination's authorities and the charter company before you go.
Other foreign licences
A licence issued by your boat's flag state is often accepted abroad. Check the destination's requirements. On a local-flag or chartered boat, local rules decide which foreign licences count. Carry your licence and any translation required by the destination's authorities.
Cruising fees and permits
Greece's TEPAI, a monthly cruising fee, normally applies to pleasure boats over 7 m in Greek waters, whatever their flag; check exemptions and arrival-payment deadlines with AADE, Greece's tax authority. Pay later chargeable months before they start. Greek customs may require a Transit Log, a customs document, depending on flag and customs status. Croatia charges a navigation safety fee and tourist tax. Eligible foreign yachts can receive a US cruising licence for up to one year.
Before you sail
Read the country unit for each place you visit, check the latest rules with the port authority, and keep receipts on board. Fines for an unpaid fee are usually much larger than the fee.
2Key data
- ICC basis
- UNECE Resolution No. 40
- ICC endorsements
- Motor/sail, coastal/inland; restrictions and inland-rule knowledge
- Greece
- TEPAI: pleasure boats >7 m; Transit Log: check flag/customs status
- Croatia
- Navigation safety fee (yearly) and tourist tax
- USA
- Cruising licence up to 1 year, reciprocal countries only
3Key points
- 1
The ICC records competence; check its motor/sail and coastal/inland categories and any restrictions.
- 2
Acceptance depends on national rules; also confirm the charter company's requirements.
- 3
On a local-flag or chartered boat, local rules decide which licences count.
- 4
Greek TEPAI normally covers pleasure boats over 7 m; Croatia charges a safety fee and tourist tax.
- 5
Pay fees before you need them and keep the receipts on board.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The ICC is accepted by law in every country.
Right: Resolution 40 recommends acceptance. Check national implementation and whether your ICC covers the boat and waters.
Wrong: An ICC coastal endorsement covers canals and rivers too.
Right: You need the inland category and knowledge of inland rules, including CEVNI. Your issuer decides how to assess that knowledge.
Wrong: Cruising fees are paid when you leave the country.
Right: Already there: pay before the next chargeable month. Arriving mid-month: meet AADE's arrival-payment deadline; TEPAI covers a calendar month.
5Practice case & exam keys
You book a Croatian sailing charter, then take your UK-registered 11 m yacht to Greece on 15 July. Your ICC covers coastal sail, but the charter operator says any ICC is enough. What do you verify and arrange?
Show the answer
Check Croatian acceptance and that your ICC's categories cover the charter boat and waters. Confirm whether the safety fee and tourist tax are included. Pay Greek TEPAI for July ahead of arrival; check AADE's deadline and exemptions. Ask Greek customs whether your yacht's flag and customs status require a Transit Log. Keep your ICC, boat papers and receipts aboard.
Exam keys
- ICC: UNECE Resolution No. 40; endorsements for motor/sail, coastal/inland.
- Inland ICC: knowledge of inland rules, including CEVNI; assessment set by issuer.
- ICC acceptance: national rules, certificate categories and restrictions; also check charter requirements.
- TEPAI: calendar months, check arrival deadline; later months paid ahead. Keep local-fee receipts.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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