ASA not longer recognizes other certifications.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I got this in an email today.



I wonder if the others will reciprocate?

Hilarious, given that ASA training, while clearly better than nothing, is not even close to RYA or IYT standards. It's more or less CYA training, of which the best one can say it that it raises one's chances of staying in the boat. I say this having taken the 12-week Power Squadron course back when it was more thorough and two RYA courses, one in (very) tidal waters. There is no comparison as far as I'm concerned. I investigated the ASA courses but when I learned I had to be an American to get the OUPV, I lost interest.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

I travel all over by crewing on other peoples boats.
When I decided that I needed some form of credentials
to convey to potential skippers
other than "I know how to sail"
I investigated the various differences between ASA and RYA
RYA won hands down, no contest.
I then spent a month in the UK and qualified up to
Coastal Skipper/Tidal and got my ICC to boot
The British take their sailing and certifications seriously,very seriously
and in my opinion RYA is held in much higher regard than ASA
This was confirmed to me by many conversations with many
skippers in Europe over the past few years.
Can't think of any reason why I would ever bother to even try to
cross certify with ASA. For me the only
US certification that would make any sense would be a USCG Six Pack
I'm an American living in NJ
Scratching my head on this one
Cheers
Neil

Exactly my logic, especially if you progress to RYA Yachtmaster with an ICC. With those, insurance starts to get more reasonable, and the assumption (a fair one) is that you'll be trusted not to be "that guy" in an anchorage or a stern-to marina as is the case so often in Europe. It's "go anywhere and be assumed competent" certification. On top of that, you get a lot of safety instruction that could save your boat or your life in a pinch. Nice to hear an American hold this point of view.

[snippet]

I have chartered bareboat in the Med 6 times, 2005-15, including Turkey, Greece, Croatia and Spain. I believe all Med charter skippers are required by the harbormasters to have certifications on record at the time of the charter. Some also require a competent crew certification for 1 crew member. That said, some US charter companies with overseas charter bases manage to avoid skipper cert. altogether, and I don't want to know how.
In order to use a European charter company I had to challenge the ICC (International Certificate of Competency) through an RYA instructor, and that qualified me to have the equivalent of a RYA day skipper cert. At that time I did not have ASA credentials and I needed that for a blue water trip from the States. ASA did recognize my ICC and issued the ASA card. The RYA/ICC test was tougher than the ASA equivalent.
Several European charter outfits have told me that they will not recognize ASA certification based on their first hand observation of ASA skippers. In any case most, if not all European countries will not accept ASA either. Unfortunately it is difficult to obtain RYA certification on this side of the pond although there are charter companies in the Caribbean who run RYA courses.
I began sailing as a kid but I very much recognize the value of instruction by whatever means. A good instructor has skills we can learn regardless of the course they are teaching, and most are eager to share their knowledge.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

You were looking to do cross certification at the instructor (214) level?

No. ASA is about the only one with a cat standard. I understood completely why a separate course was necessary. I took the course in Sausalito.

[ErikFinn]

Pardon my ignorance but wtf is ASA?


Now had that read NASA I would have had an inkling...

Sorry I couldn't resist the temptation...

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Jack Lahr

ASA certification is not worthless such certification is required for bareboat charters in Croatia

The International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) is deemed to be the equivalent of an International Certificate of Competence even though it does not meet the requirements of Resolution 40.

In North America you can get an ICC through IYT.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by jackdale

The International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) is deemed to be the equivalent of an International Certificate of Competence even though it does not meet the requirements of Resolution 40.

In North America you can get an ICC through IYT.

ICC is not accepted in some countries where a licence is needed. They tend to close the eyes but in case of an accident that goes to court, one with a ICC sailing on a country were ICC is not recognized and a licence is needed will be on a bad position.

[shawndear]

Originally Posted by Jack Lahr

ASA certification is not worthless such certification is required for bareboat charters in Croatia

You have your facts completely wrong. ASA is not "required" in Croatia; its is simply one of the options for taking out a charter yacht.

I'm in the Caribbean and although the ASA cert is recognised, it is also laughed at by most experienced sailors. It takes very little sail experience and qualifications to become an instructor in it and less to pass it.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Sounds like an attempt to increase income, not much to do with legitimacy of the other certifications.

Jim

Originally Posted by SV DestinyAscen

Not like ASA certification means very much anyway.

Its the way the world is going, back in the late 40's my Parents taught themselves to Scuba dive, everyone did. As a kid I was diving long before I got my YMCA certification.
Now if you look at dive agencies, there are so many different "cards" its ridiculous. Nothing more than revenue generation.
One day I will get around to taking some sailing classes, but more likely I will do some Diesel work for the local pro racer and have him or her show me the ropes, just have to learn to live without a card though

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Polux

ICC is not accepted in some countries where a licence is needed. They tend to close the eyes but in case of an accident that goes to court, one with a ICC sailing on a country were ICC is not recognized and a licence is needed will be on a bad position.

True - an ICC is not recognized in the US. It is now recognized in Canada.

[a64pilot]

For only $150 you can get your Zombie dive card, its for real there really is such a PADI card

PADI Zombie Apocalypse Diver Distinctive Specialty - Central Coast Dive Center

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

I travel all over by crewing on other peoples boats.
When I decided that I needed some form of credentials
to convey to potential skippers
other than "I know how to sail"
I investigated the various differences between ASA and RYA
RYA won hands down, no contest.
I then spent a month in the UK and qualified up to
Coastal Skipper/Tidal and got my ICC to boot
The British take their sailing and certifications seriously,very seriously
and in my opinion RYA is held in much higher regard than ASA

Neil

Could you share with us your experiences on the RYA experience? I am thinking of getting this certification as well.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by jackdale

True - an ICC is not recognized in the US. It is now recognized in Canada.

Just to complete your information ICC is not recognized also by Greece, Moldova, Portugal, Spain, Russian Federation, Serbia, Sweden and Ukraine.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by ErikFinn

Pardon my ignorance but wtf is ASA?


Now had that read NASA I would have had an inkling...

Sorry I couldn't resist the temptation...

American Sailing Association. Basic sailing and navigation courses. There is also the US Sailing Association - same sort of thing, just a different organization. I believe that RYA is Royal Yachting Association - the [sort of] ASA or USSA equivalent in Great Britain. It is my understanding, talking to several other folks here in the Puget Sound that have done both, that the series of RYA courses is much more stringent and thorough.

[David B]

Originally Posted by Polux

Just to complete your information ICC is not recognized also by Greece, Moldova, Portugal, Spain, Russian Federation, Serbia, Sweden and Ukraine.

Interesting. So for an international sailor, coming into one of those countries (actually only interested in the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain), what qualification do they look for if they are checking competence to allow you to stay in a marina etc?