Friday, 4 November 2016
Friday, 4 November 2016
The certificate requires the applicant to demonstrate an ability to steer a relevant vessel and have knowledge of the Rules of the Road (CEVNI for inland craft) and can be endorsed for use at sea and/or inland, for craft under/more than10m, and for power and/or sail.
If the practical has been carried out on a vessel ≥10m Resolution 40 does not put any further limit on vessel size, but countries may impose their own limits on its acceptance. Germany only accepts an ICC for craft to 15m and requires a quasi-commercial certificate for craft over 25m. However Germany does not require any certificate for a craft under 15m on the majority of their waterways which does rather indicate their view of Resolution 40 (but see footnote).
The ICC was originally restricted to EC nationals and residents, so people from non-EC countries who were buying vessels to cruise in Europe had difficulties becoming legal. France allows other nationalities to gain its domestic certificates, and that left a loophole for them to get a valid licence. In 2011 Resolution 40 was modified and the ICC could be issued to non-EC applicants, though EC citizens must still obtain theirs from their country of residence.
The ICC in the UK is issued by the RYA, but they have a worldwide network of schools under their banner, and this change to ICC application allows these schools to examine for the certificate.
The French require a certificate for all craft with engine ≥6hp. They accept an ICC for all visiting pleasure craft. Their domestic certificate for craft ≥20m is the Extension Grande Plaisance (EGP) and is accepted in Holland and Belgium, but only to 25m in Germany.
The Dutch require a certificate for all craft ≥15m. They accept an ICC issued before 1st July 2011 for all visiting pleasure craft, but those issued subsequently are only accepted to 25m. Their domestic certificate for craft <25m is the Klein Vaarbewijs 1, but KVB 2 is required for the larger waterways. For ≥25m they have the Beperkt Groot Vaarbewijs.
The Belgians require a certificate for all craft ≥15m. They accept an ICC for all visiting pleasure craft. Their domestic certificates for craft ≥15m are the Brevet de conduite restreint or Brevet de conduite général (A Brevet général is required for the Escaut maritime)
The German waterways are categorised in zones. Sea-going craft are accepted on the tidal waterways of the north; pilotage is required for all or parts of the Rhine, Elbe, Donau, Oder, Weser and Saale. For the smaller waterways they require a certificate for all craft ≥15m. They only accept ICC for craft <15m, but accept relevant French, Dutch and Belgian certificates for craft <25m.
UPDATE OF GERMAN REQUIREMENTS: The German waterway authorities have revised their requirements and will accept an ICC for craft <20m other than on the Rhine where it will remain at <15m. The change came into effect 10th May 2017.
link to Tam’s RYA Book of CEVNI Regulations and DVD Barge Handling in France
(All text and photographs copyright Tam & Di Murrell © unless otherwise credited)
Certification
for helmsmen of
Pleasure Craft
on
Inland
Waterways
in Europe