The British Sub-Aqua Club has been authorised by the European Union to issue the certification needed by anyone wishing to operate a pleasure boat abroad.

The move came into force on 1 July and will be welcomed by British divers wanting to take a RIB or other vessel to the Continent for a diving holiday.

The BSAC is now able to grant holders of its Boat Handling and Diver Coxswain qualifications an EU International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICOPC), known as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

The BSAC will certify members of the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) and Scottish Sub-Aqua Club (SSAC) too. The three organisations teach the same boating syllabuses, developed jointly under the umbrella of the Combined Diving Associations (CDA).

The BSAC can also certify non-affiliated divers, since the joint BSAC, SAA and SSAC boating courses are open to non-members.

The club’s application for ICC issuing approval went to the European Commission via the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Despite running identical courses the SAA and SSAC were not included as, under EC rules, approval could go only to a specific organisation recognised as a governing body, not a joint organisation.

"The SAA and SSAC have accepted this situation, with the understanding that once their members have obtained their boating qualifications, they can be referred to the BSAC for an ICC," Alistair Reynolds, BSAC Technical Manager, told Divernet.

"This is a similar situation to the one in which the SAA represents British diving within the European diving federation CMAS, and can grant CMAS cross-over certification to any of our members who want it."

Reynolds added: "We're really very happy to able to offer this service. Previously, the only way to obtain an ICC was to do Royal Yachting Association courses, which are not as diving-orientated as our syllabuses."

PADI is a CDA member, but does not offer the boating-skills courses developed by its CDA colleagues.

ICC certification costs £15 for members of a CDA organisation, £35 for non-affiliated divers.

To apply or find out more about ICCs, access the BSAC website (below) and, via the Technical Services link, click on International Certificates of Competence.

Alternatively call the Diver Resources Team at BSAC HQ in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on 0151 350 6200.

Related links
BSAC website

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