The ICC as it is known is the licence needed to operate a UK registered pleasure craft upto 20mtrs in length throughout Europe (excluding Germany where the ICC is only recognised for vessels upto 15mtrs). The RYA are the recognised issuers of the ICC in the UK.

So what is needed to obtain an ICC:

1. An Inland Waterways Helmsman’s Certificate, this can be achieved in 1 of 3 ways:

a) Complete a recognised inland waterways course held at an RYA  recognised training establishment. Cost £100 approx

b) Complete  a course held on your own boat with a licensed RYA Instructor, this can be for up to 3 people and the days course costs in the region of £300.

c) Go to an RYA approved test centre and take a handling test, cost is approx £60. Be aware that you can fail doing it this way.

2. Taking and Passing the CEVNI exam ( Code Europeen des Voies de la Navigation interieure), which can be taken as an online multiple choice test for the princely sum of £18.

Put the two together and you get to apply for your ICC, which if you are a member of the RYA is Free, to a non member it will cost you £43.

It’s all about jobs for the boys and as a boater you should be used to throwing money into a project!