ICCY Rally 2012 Tallinn

The 1st International Meeting of Cruising yachts at Lübeck, Germany, inspired a tradition of making friends whilst cruising, and to annual meetings organised by Yacht Clubs around Northern Europe. This led to the foundation of the ICCY in Hamburg on 9th May 1986 by delegates from 8 European countries. By 1996 this had grown to 19 clubs and associations represented by 27 members from 13 countries (Belgium, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and USA) and continues with strong support from its members. Council membership has flourished since then, with continuity of support for the aim of ICCY – the sea and the friends we make from it.

Organisation

The ICCY Presidency changes annually (with effect from the end of the current year’s summer meeting). The post of President is usually held by a representative of the club or organisation(s) hosting the coming Summer Meeting.

The ICCY Council consists of a General Secretary and members and is responsible for ICCY procedures and arrangements. Members are personally appointed by invitation of the Council. In most instances Council members have been involved with the organisation of an ICCY Summer (July) International Meeting, when their yacht club acted as host, or joint host, of the meeting.

Cruising Membership has also been introduced. This follows a recommendation for membership proposed by a fellow member. The candidate must be a member of their well recognized local boat club in their country, and the appointment is made at the discretion of the General Secretary. Cruising members have user accounts into ICCY website and they have access to all information of our organization.

A new opportunity for ICCY Associate Membership has recently been created. This is open to retiring Council members who have not been active in at least 3 summer International Meetings. Associate members get same material as council members and they are able to participate council meetings without right to vote.

Annual Meetings and Activities

Summer Meetings take place annually in July. The 30th event will be held in 2011. At these International Summer Meetings, the ICCY international flag is hoisted, and Meetings last 4-5 days. The organising club(s) arrange interesting programmes of visits and events during annual meetings, including the traditional Gala Dinner. Participating boats fly the current year’s meeting flag (and many others!), dress overall, and crews are in party mood. It is ICCY practice to use English as its common language. A warm welcome is extended to everyone seeking enjoyment and friendship aided by the common bond of all who enjoy cruising in sailing or motor yachts.

A weekend or 2-3 day Autumn Meeting, which includes the Council’s AGM as well as some outings, also takes place. This may be in the country where the following year’s summer meeting will be held or, for practical reasons, elsewhere. The Autumn Meeting is without boats. As well as renewing friendships an attractive programme of visits and social events is arranged, with wives, husbands, partners and friends all welcome to come along and enjoy the programme.

From time to time invitations are extended to ICCY members and friends to join other events organised by ICCY associated yacht clubs.

Since 2000, ICCY Meetings have been held at:

  • 2000 19th Summer Meeting England , London, Cruising Association (CA)
    Autumn England, Oxford
  • 2001 20th Summer Meeting Poland, Szczecin, WSIE Academy of European Integration
    Autumn Germany, Berlin
  • 2002 21st Summer Meeting Belgium, Brussels, Royal Brussels Yacht Club (BRYC)
    Autumn France, Paris
  • 2003 22nd Summer Meeting Russia, St. Petersburg, Naval Sport Federation
    Autumn Germany, Hamburg
  • 2004 23rd Summer Meeting France, Fécamp –(Société des Amis de la Grande Aventure)
    (SAGA) and Société des Régates de Fécamp (SRF)
    Autumn France, Marseilles
  • 2005 24th Summer Meeting Sweden - Stockholm
    Kungl. Motorbåt Klubben (KMK) and Kungl.Svenska Segel Sällskapet (KSSS)
    Autumn Stockholm, Sweden
  • 2006 25th Summer Meeting Germany - Kiel, Touren-Yachtclub von Deutschland (TYvD)
    Autumn Dresden, Germany
  • 2007 26th Summer Meeting England - Ramsgate, Royal Temple Yacht Club
    Autumn Portsmouth, England
  • 2008 27th Summer Meeting Denmark - Copenhagen, Kongelig Dansk Yachtklub (KDY)
    Autumn Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2009 28th Summer Meeting Mariehamn, Aland Islands, Finland
    Finnish Boating Association, Finnish Sailing Federation and HSK
    Autumn Helsinki, Finland
  • 2010 29th Summer Meeting Netherlands - Rotterdam,
    Nederlandse Vereniging van Toerzeilers
    Autumn Gdansk, Poland
  • 2011 30th Summer Meeting Poland – Gdansk
    Gdansk and POZZ
    Autumn Tallinn, Estonia
  • 2012 31st Summer Meeting Tallinn, Estonia
     

For those planning ahead, future ICCY International Summer meetings are planned for:

  • 2013 32nd Summer Meeting Flensburg, Germany

Isobel Porter, Cruising Association, London
ICCY Council Member
(February 2011)