ICC / CEVNI
Background:
For the Netherlands: To operate a boat longer than 15 meter, or a boat which can sail at speeds above 20 km / hr you need a license. This can either be the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or the Dutch Klein Vaarbewijs. Each license has to subtypes: inland and coastal. ( a Yachtmaster Offshore or yachtmaster Coastal certificate will do as well)
You have to be able to at least speak Dutch to do the theoretical exam for a "klein vaarbewijs". English exams are not possible, and it's not likely that they will ever be offered.
You can only get an ICC from the country from which you have a passport, or from the country in which you reside. Just a few countries issue ICC's, a few more accept an ICC. Most countries have subsets of rules.
At this moment, only British nationals or residents can apply for an ICC after a level 2 training. AquaPlanning cannot issue a "klein vaarbewijs".
Unfortunately, this means that if you do not speak Dutch, and you are not a British resident, that you can only get an ICC from your own country. If your country does not issue ICC's, you cannot operate a powerboat in the Netherlands.
It is likely that this will change soon. Possibly, in the future, if you have a Level 2 and your own country does not issue the ICC, the RYA can issue an ICC. We cannot guarantee yet that this will happen, but it's likely.
Please note: if you pass the exam for the Dutch Klein Vaarbewijs, you can only get the ICC if you are a resident of The Netherlands.
Since there are countries who do not issue ICC's but do accept them for foreignors, the situation can be quite confusing.
The law applies to the country in which you sail. So even if you need a license in your own country, you can operate a boat in the Netherlands as long as it's shorter than 15 meters and cannot go faster than 20 km / hr. (it's still smart to learn how to handle a boat!)
The RYA has a good section on their website about the ICC.
More ICC information can be found on the EBA site. (Click on the Countries list on the left)
Please note that AquaPlanning is the only center in The Netherlands that can test for ICC + CEVNI, both for PWC & Power, up to 24 meters!
| You are British or live in the UK | not British | |
| Coastal IJsselmeer is seen as "coastal water" | RYA Level 2, apply for ICC | Get ICC coastal from your own country or learn Dutch, get "Klein Vaarbewijs II" (also valid on inland waters (just theory) |
| Inland only | CEVNI + RYA Level 2, apply for ICC | Get ICC Inland "CEVNI from your own country or learn Dutch, get "Klein Vaarbewijs I" (just theory) |
The CEVNI test can be done online, if you are British!
