ICC International Certificate of Competence

It covers the theory required for small boat owners and people who wish to undertake their International Certificate of Competence (ICC) Practical assessment, by looking at subjects such as parts of the boat, collision regulations, position fixing, course to steer, weather, safety and much more.

When sailing in foreign countries, the ICC is the proof you need to show a minimum qualification. This course includes animated diagrams on how to berth in varying wind conditions for both motor and sail. Man overboard recovery under motor and sail. Turning in a confined space under motor and sail.

Course Structure

•Seamanship:- includes parts of the boat, types of warp, knots, chain, anchoring, tying up, preparation for sea and port or starboard tack.

•Introduction to chart work:- chart Familiarisation, points of the compass, latitude and longitude, position of an object, using a Portland type plotter, finding position on a chart.

•Tidal heights and streams:- what causes tides, terminology, tidal height calculations, using tide tables, using the tidal curve, secondary ports, computation of rates, tidal streams using tidal diamonds and the tidal stream atlas.

•Position fixing:-, compass variation, compass deviation, position fixing using various methods, dead reckoning and estimated position.

•Course to steer:- How to plot a course to steer taking into account tidal flow and leeway, how to maintain an accurate ground track.

•GPS:- Abbreviations and terminology, how to use a GPS, raster and vector charts and updating charts.

•Buoyage and pilotage:- Available information, identification of buoys and their lights and shapes, using forward and back bearings, using tidal graphs.

•Safety:- Safety briefs, mayday and rescue, life jackets, abandon ship, actions in fog and radar reflectors.

•Lessons on how to berth in varying conditions