SYLLABUS FOR ICC ASSESSMENT OF COMPETENCE 

ICC ORAL / WRITTEN ELEMENTS 

Regulations

1. Knows responsibility for keeping a proper lookout
2. Can determine a ‘safe speed’
3. Can recognise a potential collision situation
4. Can identify ‘give way’ vessel in a collision situation
5. Knows what action to take as ‘give way’ and ‘stand on’ vessel
6. Knows responsibilities of a small vessel in a narrow channel
7. Can recognise manoeuvring signals (1.2.3 & 5 short blasts)
8. Can make and recognise visual distress signals

Safety

1. Is able to use and instruct crew on the use of: 

• Life jackets 
• Distress alerting (e.g. DSC VHF, EPIRB, Flares, etc.) 
• Fire extinguishers
• Kill cord (if fitted)

2. Can prepare a boat for use;

• Taking sensible precautions before setting out, including: 
• Engine checks 
• Check fuel for range / duration of trip 
• Obtain weather forecast 
• Avoid overloading boat

CANDIDATES FOR COASTAL WATERS

Regulations

1. Knows rules relating to Traffic Separation Schemes
2. Knows requirements for navigation lights and shapes to be displayed by own vessel
3. Can recognise the following from the lights: Power driven, sailing vessel, vessel at anchor, tug and tow, fishing vessel, dredger
4. Knows sound signal to be made by vessels as in Q3

Navigation (Chart & Plotting Instruments required)

1. Can interpret a navigational chart, understand significance of charted depths and drying heights and can identify charted hazards
2. Can plot position by cross bearings and by latitude / longitude 
3. Can determine magnetic course to steer, making allowances for leeway and tidal stream
4. Can use a tide table to find times and heights of high and low water at a standard port
5. Can determine direction and rate of tidal stream from a tidal stream atlas or tidal diamonds on a chart 
6. Understands basic use of GPS

Pilotage

1. Can recognise, by day and night, and understand significance of buoys of the IALA system 
2. Knows sources of information on: local regulations, port entry and departure signals, VTS and Port Operations Radio 
3. Can plan a harbour entry/departure, taking account of possible presence of large vessels and avoiding navigational hazards.

PRACTICAL ELEMENTS

1. Start

• Give safety briefing including use of safety equipment 
• Has listened to weather forecasts • Pre start engine checks 
• Use kill cord (if fitted) 
• Start engine
• Check cooling 
• Knows fuel range

2. Depart from Pontoon

• Understands use of springs to depart from lee wall/pontoon
• Communicate with crew 
• Position fenders correctly

3. 360° Turn in Confined Space

4. Securing to Buoy

• Communicate effectively with crew• Prepare warp 
• Choose correct angle of approach
• Control speed of approach 
• Secure boat effectively 
• Depart from the mooring safely

5. Man Overboard

• Observe MOB or instruct crew to do so 
• Demonstrate correct direction and speed of approach 
• Make suitable contact with MOB

6a. Planning Speed Manoeuvres (if appropriate) 

• Choose suitable area 
• Show awareness of other water users
• Warn crew before each manoeuvre
• Look around before S and U turns
• Control speed on U turns

6b. Handling Under Sail (if appropriate)

• Sail triangular course with one leg to windward
• Choose suitable area for hoisting/lowering sails
• Use sails suitable for prevailing conditions
• Show awareness of wind direction
• Trim sails correctly on each point of sailing
• Warn crew before manoeuvres
• Look round before tacking and gybing 
• Control sails during tacking and gybing

7. Coming Alongside Windward Pontoon

• Communicate effectively with crew 
• Show awareness of other water users
• Prepare warps/fenders 
• Choose correct angle of approach 
• Control speed of approach
• Stop boat in place required and secure to pontoon
• Stop engine