Do I need to have my boating licence translated to charter abroad?
Updated on: 05/05/2026The essentials
In the UK there is no mandatory boating licence for domestic navigation, but charter destinations require recognised certifications. The RYA Day Skipper is widely accepted in the Mediterranean, and the RYA Coastal Skipper or higher is preferred in Greece, Croatia and the Caribbean. The ICC (International Certificate of Competence), issued by the RYA, is mandatory in Greece and strongly recommended for any charter outside the UK. Allow 2 to 4 weeks and a budget of around £50 to £80 to obtain the ICC via the RYA. Outside Europe (Caribbean, Polynesia, Asia), a detailed sailing CV in English is almost always required by the charter company in addition to the certification.
What UK certifications are recognised internationally?
The RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Completion certifies a basic level of navigation up to 20 nautical miles from a safe haven by daylight. It is the minimum required by most Mediterranean charter companies. For more demanding destinations, the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion certifies coastal navigation by day and night, and is increasingly required in Greece and Croatia. The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean are the highest internationally recognised levels.
The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is not a course but a certification that converts your RYA practical level into an internationally recognised document. It is issued by the RYA on application, against your Day Skipper or higher.
The Greek case : ICC mandatory
The Greek port authorities require an ICC (or equivalent international certification) at check-in for all bareboat charters. An RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Completion alone, without ICC, may be refused. To avoid any complications, request your ICC via the RYA at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure if you do not already hold one.
Certifications accepted in Greece without translation
The Greek authorities accept the following international certifications without reservation : the ICC (International Certificate of Competence), the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion (or higher), and the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certificate or equivalent. If you plan to sail regularly in Greece or outside the EU, obtaining an ICC is a worthwhile investment that saves you a translation procedure for each charter.
How to obtain the ICC?
The ICC is issued directly by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) on presentation of your Day Skipper Practical Course Completion or higher. The application is online via the RYA portal or by post. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for processing and a fee of around £50 to £80 (varies according to RYA member status and validity period). Once issued, the ICC is valid for 5 years and can be renewed without a new exam.
If you do not yet hold an RYA practical certification, the easiest path is to take an ICC assessment (theory + practice) directly at an RYA-recognised school in the UK or abroad, costing around £200 to £350.
How does it work in practice with Filovent?
The process is straightforward and we recommend starting it as soon as you sign your booking confirmation :
- You send us a copy of your RYA practical certification and ICC as soon as you book.
- If you do not yet hold an ICC and your destination requires it, you apply for it via the RYA.
- You send us the ICC by email at concierge@filovent.com.
- Filovent forwards everything to the local partner and validates with the destination authorities or charter company.
- Once validated, your booking file is complete and you receive confirmation in your client area.
Two levels of requirements to distinguish
Before checking the worldwide overview, keep in mind that there are two often-confused types of requirements :
Local legal requirements (harbour authorities, maritime authorities): non-negotiable and checked at check-in. Example: the VHF certificate in Croatia or the offshore extension for certain boat sizes (around 45 feet for catamarans or 60 feet for sailing yachts).
Charter company requirements (sailing CV, preferred certifications) : variable depending on the base and fleet. The charter company can refuse a client or impose a skipper even if the client meets the legal requirements. Example : the sailing CV in BVI or Florida.
Worldwide overview by destination
To find your bearings quickly, here is a summary of the main requirements on Filovent's markets :
| Destination | RYA Day Skipper accepted? | Translation / key point |
|---|---|---|
| Croatia | Yes | VHF certificate (CRR) legally required + offshore extension required for large catamarans and sailing yachts |
| Greece | Coastal Skipper or ICC required | ICC mandatory or RYA Coastal Skipper minimum |
| Italy, Spain, Balearics | Yes | No additional formalities |
| Turkey | Yes or ICC | ICC preferred at Sailfleet and Pitter |
| Egypt | Not applicable | Cabin cruises or private dahabieh only |
| BVI | Yes, Coastal Skipper preferred | Detailed sailing CV in English required |
| Grenadines, Saint Martin, Antigua | Yes | Sailing CV weighs more than the certification |
| Martinique, Guadeloupe | Yes | English CV recommended + offshore extension |
| Cuba, Dominican Republic | Yes | Sailing CV and passport copy depending on charter company |
| Bahamas | Yes or ICC | Sailing CV required for sailboats and catamarans |
| United States (Florida, Keys) | Yes | Strict CV verification + check-out test possible. ASA 104 recommended |
| Belize | Yes or ICC | Systematic CV + thorough local briefing |
| Seychelles | Yes | Solid CV required. Skipper imposed for less experienced profiles |
| French Polynesia | Yes | Solid CV for Tuamotu and Marquesas |
| Thailand (Phuket) | Yes or ICC | English sailing CV required |
| Australia (Whitsundays) | Yes, ICC, Coastal Skipper or ASA 104 preferred | Thorough briefing + strict navigation zones |
Details by destination
Croatia : RYA Day Skipper accepted, but VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) legally mandatory for the skipper or a crew member, plus updated sailing CV required by the charter company. Above 30 gross tonnes (catamaran above 45 feet or monohull above 60 feet), RYA Coastal Skipper or offshore extension mandatory.
Spain, Italy, Balearics : RYA Day Skipper accepted. No additional requirement in classic coastal zones.
Turkey in practice : most charter companies (Sailfleet, Pitter, etc.) now require either the ICC, or a Coastal Skipper. Our recommendation : if you go to Turkey with a Day Skipper alone, apply for the ICC in advance to avoid any surprises at check-in.
Egypt (Red Sea / Nile) : not applicable for cabin cruises or private dahabieh (local crew provided). No bareboat charter for individuals.
BVI : charter companies generally accept RYA, ICC or ASA. A detailed sailing CV in English is systematically required (not a legal requirement) and can condition acceptance, especially in high season. The RYA Coastal Skipper is preferred over the Day Skipper.
Grenadines (Saint Vincent), Saint Martin, Antigua : same rules as BVI. The sailing CV often weighs more than the certification itself in the charter company's decision.
Martinique, Guadeloupe : French territory, RYA Day Skipper accepted with English sailing CV recommended. Offshore extension required beyond 6 nautical miles.
Cuba, Dominican Republic : RYA generally accepted, but additional document requests (sailing CV, passport copy) variable depending on charter company. Local administrative delays to anticipate.
Bahamas : no legal licence requirement for motor boats under 22 feet, but sailing CV required by charter companies for sailboat and catamaran charters. RYA or ICC accepted.
United States (Florida, Keys) : no federal licence required for classic charters, but charter companies strictly verify the sailing CV and may impose a check-out test on arrival. ASA 104 strongly recommended.
Belize : RYA or ICC accepted. Sailing CV systematically required. Thorough local briefing on arrival.
Seychelles : RYA accepted with solid CV. ICC appreciated but not mandatory. Charter companies often impose a professional skipper for less experienced profiles.
French Polynesia : French territory, RYA accepted. Offshore extension required beyond 6 nautical miles. Solid CV required for navigation in the Tuamotu and Marquesas (technical coral passes).
Thailand (Phuket) : variable requirements. Most charter companies accept the RYA or ICC, but require an English sailing CV.
Australia (Whitsundays) : ICC, RYA Coastal Skipper or ASA 104 strongly preferred over Day Skipper alone. Thorough briefing mandatory and strict navigation zones.
The reflex to adopt : plan ahead
Whether you go to Greece, the BVI or Polynesia, the golden rule remains the same : check the procedure as soon as you book, not two weeks before departure. An ICC application that has not been processed in time, or a sailing CV deemed insufficient, can in the worst case delay or even block your boarding. Our concierge service supports you on all these documentary formalities, from the RYA application up to the validated transmission to the port authorities or local charter companies. For any question about your booking, contact your Filovent representative or our concierge service on +33 1 70 80 97 35.
