ICC International Certificate of Competence

The requirement for evidence of competence varies from country to country and you should do the ICC CEVNI TEST and know what the signal mean if you your the European inland waterways. Sometimes it is required for coastal waters and sometimes for inland waters.

The law of the sea is frequently misunderstood, with many boaters believing that they can go wherever they wish abiding only by the rules of their own Flag State (country of registration).

The country in which the boat is being used (called the Coastal State) in many circumstances does require that foreign flagged boats comply with this legislation.

The most common requirement is evidence of competence which is stipulated in the national legislation, required under local rules or the local port authority.