IYT has Removed the Daylight Hours Restriction on Flotilla & Bareboat Skipper Certificates
IYT has removed the restriction of “daylight hours” on the Flotilla and Bareboat Skipper Certificates. This restriction was applied previously because charter companies do not allow their boats to be operated after sundown. We are leaving this decision up to the charter companies.
If you hold the Flotilla or Bareboat Skipper Certificate which states the restriction of daylight hours and need this restriction removed, please order a duplicate certificate online. The new certificate will not include this restriction. If you do not have plans to charter in Europe and the stated restriction is not an issue, please know that when you renew the certificate, the restriction of “daylight hours” will not be included.
IF YOU PLAN TO CHARTER IN EUROPE, IT IS WISE TO HOLD BOTH FLOTILLA SKIPPER (OR HIGHER) & THE ICC
In the past, if you were chartering in Europe, an International Certificate of Competency (ICC) may have been sufficient proof of your ability to safely operate a boat.
However, it has been brought to our attention that a number of European charter companies and insurance companies will not accept an ICC as sufficient proof to command a yacht for a one week bareboat charter (power or sail). These companies are insisting that the charterer should hold an IYT International Flotilla Skipper or IYT International Bareboat Skipper, power or sail (or equivalent qualification that is on their “approved” list).
The charter companies and insurance companies do not have a comfort level handing over an expensive yacht to someone who they feel is not sufficiently qualified to command it for a weeks duration.
Some customers have had their charters cancelled because they have only held an ICC. It is imperative that you check with your charter company in advance of your charter to make sure that you hold the required qualifications.
IYT highly recommends holding both Flotilla Skipper or higher as well as the ICC to avoid any issues when chartering or operating vessels in European waters and harbours.