The ICC isnt an RYA piece of paper for them to set the standard as they wish. Its an IMO document and the test has to be to a standard acceptable to overseas jurisdictions . Thats the Day skipper level (note - not the shorevased course but the proper day skipper ticket). Not surprising really since the alternative exam includes practical boat handling which cant be done on a shorbased course.

At one time the ICC was dished out by club commadores on the "he's a jolly sound chap "basis, and not surprisingly the foreiners across the channel refused to accept it. Interestingly, the Germans are already muttering about the SRC licence course we do - apparently they take three days to teach you to operate a marine VHF radio!

As for instructing kids, do you think teachers in schools should be well qualified and checked by exams? Why not teachers of sailing kids? And its hardly as if you are talking of lots of money and a difficult test.