Competence Certificates - What Is Equivalent?

[John A]

We all should beware of written test to prove competance.

In another stage of my life, I was a member of an Avaition Company in the National Guard. I'd asked for and received a position in the air traffic control section. A year pasted and I was ordered to take the FAA first level qualification exam, never mind that I'd never gone to school. The test was administered by a Regular Army examiner and was multiple choice. It took me four hours to complete. 70 was passing and I received a 74!!
Technicality I was now a qualified first level air traffic controller. The pilots were upset!
Its becoming a scary world out there as competent knowledge and common sense is being replaced by a piece of paper.
regards John

[goboatingnow]

most sailing certs are both theory and practical based

[barnakiel]

John is right. But it is also true that another mod of the scary world is when a sailor cannot go sailing (his own boat) because a politician convinced part of the society that he knows better what it takes to safely sail a boat than the sailor knows herself/himself.

Controlling air traffic is a top responsibility, top tension job. One mistake and many people die. Sailing is a pastime or a passion.

My vision of the right balance is for the state to make an efficient and serious effort to convince the sailor that she/he can improve their skills and knowledge by participating in various courses and trainings.

But if the state starts by saying that we cannot do this or that without a license then I call it the police state.

b.

[goboatingnow]

As to compulsory certification, there is a debate and its not about "police state" either. where i live no certification is required, but everytime a mar1ne acident occurrs the "general public" is horriffied to discover that anyone with no experience whatsoever can take out a 15ton, 30 knots mobo and drive it around with no knowledge oh collision regs, nav etc.

[barnakiel]

OK then if drivers of 15t, 30 knots boats make damage, then they should be punished, and maybe licensed. Definitely: trained and insured.

This does not imply everybody has to be licensed, which is the attitude of many states - a huge powerboat crashes someone and all folkboat sailors required to get a certificate (???) C'mon, where is the sense here?

b.

[jim_thomsen]

I hold a RYA Yachtmaster, but was not able to get the ICC since it is for residents of the UK (I'm American, but was living in Belgium). Since I had also taken the ASA courses they did issue a Certificate. I carried that Certificate, my YM certificate, the ASA course certificates during 3 years of sailing in Northern Europe and the Med. No one ever asked to see any of these. Because we were American flagged we were checked for VAT complience.

This tread was started by Cruisingkitty, from Ireland. Pelagic and others correctly cover things you should know, but I'll add that if you plan to be sailing around the UK or Northern Europe, with tidal ranges up to 40 ft, the RYA courses are excellent for learning this required skill.