The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Inland Water Committee Resolution 40 (hereafter called Resolution 40) International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (known in the UK as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC)) is documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets the levels of competence laid down in Resolution 40. It is NOT a qualification.

The resolution states that the ICC may be issued by a government to its nationals and residents who are bound for the waters of foreign countries on vessels registered by that government, on condition that it accepts the requirements and conditions set out in Resolution 40. This means that a UK ICC allows UK Citizens and bonafide UK residents in UK registered pleasure craft (up to 24m in length) to visit the waters of foreign states that participate in Resolution 40, without the need to comply with those states’ Cabotage laws, particularly their national certification requirements which in many cases are compulsory.

The UK is one of only a few countries which have fully accepted Resolution 40. Many countries have not adopted Resolution 40, some still apply Resolution 14 which Resolution 40 was intended to replace. Others only apply Resolution 40 in part or with caveats attached. In reality, however, the ICC is more widely accepted as proof of the holder’s competence. Spain, Greece and Portugal for example, have not adopted Resolution 40 but are still likely to ask visitors for an ICC.

Some states may accept UK (RYA) ICC as an alternative to their national qualification on their nationally flagged vessels, but this should NEVER be assumed. The onus is on ICC holders to determine its acceptability by foreign states. The ICC was never intended to be an alternative to individual national qualification requirements.

The advice to anyone planning to charter abroad is to obtain from the charter company (preferably in writing) details of the certification they require, what cruising area this is acceptable for and that this certification will also meet the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned.

The RYA is working towards wider acceptance of Resolution 40 and conformity in its application. Once Resolution 40 is universally adopted, the ICC may then become more like an international driving licence in application for visitors.

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CEVNI stands for Code Européen des Voies de Navigation Intérieure. It is the code governing navigation on the interconnected European inland waterways and is the basis of the various countries' own regulations.

Signs, rules and procdures for navigating the European inland waterways are all included within the CEVNI code and in the same way as pleasure craft on coastal waters are expected to abide by the COLREGS, pleasure craft on the inland waterways of Europe, which in places are heavily utilised by commercial traffic are expected to know and follow the CEVNI code.

Knowing and abiding by the regulations is the best way to protect yourself and your boat.

If you require an ICC valid for use on inland waters, you must learn the CEVNI code and sit the CEVNI test at an RYA recognised training centre. The "RYA European waterways regulations (the CEVNI rules explained)" publication G17 provides the information you need to learn the code in a clear and concise way. The CEVNI test is a short multiple choice paper - a sample paper is available and this can also be found at the back of the book.

The training centre will, confirm successful completion of the test by signing the relevant section of the ICC application form - there is no separate certificate. In addition to the passing the CEVNI test, you must present a qualifying RYA practical course completion certificate or pass an ICC practical test at an RYA recognised training centre and be eligible to be issued with an ICC.