Boating in Spain - Requirements? Help Please!!!

Vincent Vega · 12 January 2012, 10:36

I'm not sure if I've posted this in the right forum, but if not, please direct me to the correct one.

I'm planning on taking my 4.7m inflatable boat with 40hp outboard motor to the Costa Brava in Spain. It's something we've done many times in the past, but somebody mentioned to me recently that I risk having the boat confiscated as I don't have the ICC certificate.

I've looked on various web sites and some seem to say that it's preferable to have the ICC and others say that it's legally required.

I've been boating for 10 years or so and did go on a days course on Windermere around that time but I haven't taken any courses or since then. I'm pretty confident in my abilities and am always very aware of our safety and others safety but also don't want to be doing anything illegal. As ignorance isn't a valid defense I thought I'd better look into this and if required resolve it before I go again in the summer.

Any pointers or definite information would be greatly appreciated. The missus and kids would not be happy if the boat was confiscated on the 1st day. ;-)

Thanks for your help. :-)

jezza2011 · 12 January 2012, 10:51

Hmm found this:

http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollection...ICC%20Form.pdf

I was also thinking of takin gmy rib to the med.
But I only have my BSAC Boat handeling courses over 20 years ago and my RYA rescue cox certs ( rescue cox says its level 3 apparently on the cert) . hmmm

wavelength · 12 January 2012, 11:50

years back we had a phone call from rya to say a guy had been arrested in spain for not having ICC. Boat confiscated and taken to a marina. He had done his level2 with us some time beforehand but had not obtained an ICC after he got his level2. (despite having been told he would need one in the med). His story to the police boat was that they had come alongside so hard they had washed all his paperwork over the side!!! Which was typical of his outlook on life and other people-an A******e
Bottom line was the RYA issued him an ICC after I confirmed he had gained a level2. Apparently cost him wages for delivery driver to take boat to marina and return (wouldnt let him do it), cost of marina storage and a fine.
Couldnt happen to a more deserving person!
I've run courses all over the world and the common theme with coastguards is always have more than the minimum of paperwork! They're not all like our cuddly coastrguards--they have guns and attitude! and at the very least a book of fixed penalty tickets!

willfinch36 · 12 January 2012, 13:45

Hi,
I am about to tow a 5m RIB down to Portugal ( previously have had a share in one down there).

The marine police down there are quite "hot" on pleasure users. I have seen them checking out people before.

Not so sure about Spain, but in Portugal.

You MUST have a copy of your ICC onboard at all times.
Carry in date flares
Carry a first aid kit

etc etc.

bliksem · 12 January 2012, 20:09

hi

living in Belgium but have some friends in Spain as well

een "Comandancia de la Marina" is to obtain at the harbour and his Captain. he will issue a spanish form of ICC AFTER HE SAW YOUR UK ICC

And your boat has to be registered!!! So you 'd better have a uk registration of any sort! In Belgium we have our Bxxxxxx registration. Show it to the harbour captain.

every boat has to carry an anchor with at least 25 m of warp (chain)
every boat must have a paddle
every boat must have a flotation vest for everyone aboard

insurance is not obligatory but I suppose you 'd better have one.

captnjack · 12 January 2012, 20:14

Fill a yank in on what an ICC is?

I have what we call a master's aka commercial operator's license here. Its only good for vessels up to 50 tons on "inland" waters which is everything in/around Seattle. "Coastal" not starting until you go quite a ways west of me and I don't have the service time out there to upgrade.

I don't have any international SOLAS endorsements as I don't need them and they are very expensive to get.

bliksem · 12 January 2012, 20:24

I suppose it is a good idea to get into contact with the US consulate in Spain then. They must be able to help their us citizens (and they are paid for it as well)

email them with your questions and hopefully you are getting some help, one way or another.

hope that helps.

kerny · 12 January 2012, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

Fill a yank in on what an ICC is?

I have what we call a master's aka commercial operator's license here. Its only good for vessels up to 50 tons on "inland" waters which is everything in/around Seattle. "Coastal" not starting until you go quite a ways west of me and I don't have the service time out there to upgrade.

I don't have any international SOLAS endorsements as I don't need them and they are very expensive to get.

International certificate of competance

bliksem · 12 January 2012, 20:25

oh

btw

ICC: international certificate of competence!!

wavelength · 12 January 2012, 20:32

ICC = international certificate of competence in this case for powerboats
Coastal for sea work Inland requires a CEVNI endorsement to say you know, or more likely knew for a short time when you swotted for the test, the "highway code " for european inland waterways. I lived in Holland for a while when the boat was working there and one of our houses was adjacent to the North Sea canal which had loadsa the signs that we usually only see on the cevni test.

Dont forget to take paperwork to say that vat has been paid on the boat, the French in particular can get very excited over vat and the chance to take money off a brit!

captnjack · 12 January 2012, 20:41

Spain sounds like fun right now but jeesh for not liking vessel titles and registrations you all sure do like your paperwork.

In this state we only just recently have begun phasing in operator education requirements. But we've always had to title and register powerboats with greater the 9.9hp or bigger the 16ft. So thieves steal small outboards but rarely steal whole boats as they are not too hard to track. Lots of idiots driving ever which way despite the education requirements.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelength

Dont forget to take paperwork to say that vat has been paid on the boat, the French in particular can get very excited over vat and the chance to take money off a brit!

Lol

Sharkbyte · 13 January 2012, 00:09

Rules, regulations and state sponsored spoil-sports......no thank you! ;-)

Vincent Vega · 13 January 2012, 13:19

Thanks for the pointers, it's appreciated.

After reading your posts and researching further I think I need to get my ICC. To get this I need the RYA 2 Powerboating course (less than 10m) and the RYA 2 Coastal course. Once I've completed and passed the courses I can apply for my ICC.

Just need to find somewhere near Manchester now that I can do them.

Thanks again. :-)

Ribochet · 13 January 2012, 15:07

Check out the following link as it describes how to obtain an ICC

How to apply for an ICC | The ICC and Proof of Competence Abroad | Boating Abroad | Information & Advice | RYA

You will see that if you have not passed an RYA practical course then if you are an experienced Skipper you can also qualify for the ICC by successfully completing an assessment of your competence through a RYA Recognised Training Centre or an affiliated club authorised to carry out the assessment, rather than having to attend a full RYA training course.

Vincent Vega · 13 January 2012, 15:20

Thanks Ribochet, that's wonderful.

It's probably been 10 years since I took any kind of course and that was on Winderemere in a 17 foot Bayliner. Although that's the only course I've taken I've got 5 or 6 years experience taking the Bayliner to France a couple of times a year plus going to Conway and Windermere. Over the past couple of years we've had a 4.7m SIB which we've taken to France and Spain. Hopefully that will be enough experience (with a bit of swotting up) to get the ICC.

Cheers. :-)

Ribochet · 13 January 2012, 17:44

No probs

Another alternative given your experience may be to do your RYA Powerboat Level 2 by Direct Assessment and use it to get your ICC - talk to the Principal/Chief Powerboat Instuctor of the centre you choose.

The following link will help you find a centre close to you

Find A Training Centre | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA

Good luck

azzurro · 14 January 2012, 15:54

Hi from Spain.

A brief for inflatables:

No title needed below 15hp (less than 11.03 kW) and less than 4 meters.
Beyond that, authorization needed.
Because of cortesy on international laws, non-official (I mean, nonmandatory in Britain) RYA title should be enough.

Always: insurance, boat registered.

Security equipment:
National flag on stern.
PFD 100 newtons CE certified (1 per person, specially beware with children; if boat is certified for 7 people, you should take 7 PFD...but I guess 1 per passenger is OK).
3 flares (beware with expiration date), signaling mirror, fog horn, medicine box, torch.
Anchor and line.
2 rowing pads.
pump and inflatable repair kit.
bilge pump (can be hand operated)
boathook, 2 mooring ropes.
If more than 3 miles from coast: VHF (and you should have a title for VHF). If more than 5 miles...well neither SIBs nor common RIBS are safe boats.

It may look too many things but I keep all of that inside a net tied at the bow.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/bow-cov...der-44319.html

Have a nice time, you are welcome!

Vincent Vega · 16 January 2012, 11:46

Thanks Azzurro, that's much appreciated!!! :-)

ferryden · 17 January 2012, 16:58

I got my Level 2 and ICC for a 3.4m Quicksilver I keep in a garage out of season in Mallorca, then use during summer.

Like many the boat was bought off e-Bay, so I'm not sure where I's start re proof of VAT (given it's second hand no VAT payable - only worth a few hundred anyhow).

Does a boat this small need registering?

Is insurance mandatory? (conflicting advice above)

Thanks in advance.,..
Ferryden

PS Only used for Pollensa Bay area - not offshore etc..

Vincent Vega · 18 January 2012, 12:10

I was going to ask the same thing regarding registering the boat. We previously had a Bayliner which we registered on Windermere but since we've had this boat we haven't done it. Is this something we need to do, and a really stupid question, how do I go about registering it?

I'm really showing my ignorance now.