We've recently had several students ask about the ICC (International Certificate of Competence). It's a little complicated but here are the answers to the most common questions. The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft is more commonly referred to as the International Certificate of Competence or simply ICC. An ICC provides the holder with evidence of [...]
Powerboating
Adoption of Resolution 40
This table shows the countries that have adopted UN Resolution 40. These countries have implemented the International Certificate of Competence for Pleasure Craft (ICC), and the table gives the name of the authority that you should contact to find out how to get your ICC if you are a citizen of that country. If your country is [...]
Which ActionCam For Your Sailing Trip?
Most of us like to take loads of pictures when we’re on holiday. A sailing holiday or course has particular challenges, as the camera you use must be able to withstand bumps and splashes. Actioncams are perfect for capturing videos and still photos out on the water but, with several on the market, which one [...]
Get Your Radio Licence – Be Prepared For Chartering Anywhere
Some countries now ask for a marine radio operator's licence in addition to your skipper's licence if you want to charter. There's no sign of it in Greece at present. (Radio use is pretty poor here as a consequence ...) Even if you don't have to have a licence for chartering it makes sense to [...]
Discover the Skills for a Happy Crew
Our aim is always to give you the very best experience possible - in every way! With a new season about to start our boats are ready to go! They look great, polished and shiny, with everything serviced and checked, ready for the first students to arrive on Sunday. Now that winter maintenance is complete, [...]
New online RYA Marine Radio Operator’s Course
International pressure is forcing more and more countries to conform to the regulations for operation of marine radio sets, which should only be used under the supervision of someone with a legal marine radio operator's licence. Croatia has insisted for a few years that those who charter yachts must have a radio operator's licence [...]
Security Deposit or Damage Waiver?
I received an email from Vasily, one of our students today. He'd asked me for prices for chartering a catamaran. As I'm not in the office this week, I simply 'cut and paste' the information we'd been sent by the yacht charter company. Vasily (quite rightly) got back to me asking: 2500 - something called [...]
A secret anchorage on Hydra
Most people who sail in the Saronic want to visit Hydra; few want the hassle that goes with it. Athough beautiful, it's a bit of a nightmare for yachts. A night spent in Hydra often involves fouled anchors, boats rafted up on top of each other, and generally some stress and shouting ... It's much [...]
We’re giving away champagne!
Emilia Melody Wright aged 3 days Our grand-daughter, Emilia Wright, was born in Cambridge on Sunday 3 February. She is absolutely perfect and we’re delighted with her. To celebrate her birth, we’re giving away a bottle of champagne to the next five people who book with us (one lucky person has already won a bottle [...]
Learn to sail over the winter with our weekend courses
Learning to sail is a great way to meet new people and to explore the Saronic Gulf. Why not join us on one or more of our winter weekend courses and you'll be all ready to use your new skills next Spring? Our weekend courses run between November and March. The sailing courses will be [...]