Congratulations, you’ve done all the hard work in choosing a RYA powerboat centre, decided on a convenient date, bribed the wife (or husband) and told one or two little lies about how much it is all going to cost.

The course date arrives and, with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, you embark on two days of adrenaline filled learning. The certificate at the end is something of an anti-climax, but you drive home thinking how that new Sunseeker, which you saw in the boat show brochure, would look sat on your drive or in a Mediterranean marina with your neighbours wife sunbathing on the foredeck.

After you have won the lottery and the Sunseeker becomes a reality, you fly out to Spain to take delivery and spend a long weekend in negotiations with the agents, marina manager, and insurance company before the boat is afloat.

Then, after the naming ceremony with the bottle of Spanish plonk, disaster.

The marina manager refuses to let you take your new toy out until you provide him with your ‘Certificate of Competence’.

The International Certificate of Competence (pleasure craft), or I.C.C. is required in most European countries as evidence that the holder is competent in handling the type of craft for which it is issued, power or sail. It’s a passport like book with the holders personal details and photograph together with a certificate number and is issued by the Royal Yachting Association to British citizens. It’s free to RYA personal members on production of acceptable evidence, either a course completion certificate or a practical test at an approved club or teaching establishment. Non RYA members are required to pay a fee.

The I.C.C. is issued for either power or sail, and the area of operation, inland or coastal waters. Skippers of yachts with auxiliary engines need both power and sail. Those wishing to operate their craft on inland waters will have to take a written test of the European Inland Waterways Regulations (CEVNI rules). This is rather like the Highway Code but more confusing and does require carefull studying before you are ready to sit the test which consists of 14 multiple choice, tick box questions.

So, start that dream and send off a copy of your National Powerboat Certificate with your passport size photograph and the application form to the RYA for your I.C.C.