Loods

Loods, in Dutch maritime terminology, refers to a harbor pilot—an experienced professional who guides ships through restricted waters into and out of a harbor. The term is typically used in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking ports, and the English equivalent is harbor pilot or pilot.

Role and responsibilities

A lood is responsible for the safe navigation of a vessel within pilotage areas, including channel approaches, locks, and berthing. They board the ship at a designated location and assume command of navigation in complicated or congested waters, relying on local knowledge of tides, currents, shoals, and harbor layout. They coordinate with the ship’s master, tugboats, pilots’ stations, and port traffic control to determine speed, course, and maneuvering plans and to arrange mooring or anchoring as needed. Pilots also provide advice on shallow-water passages, possible hazards, and compliance with local regulations.

Training and licensing

Becoming a lood typically requires extensive seagoing experience, often as a deck officer, followed by specialized pilotage training and examinations. Certification is issued by the relevant port authority or national maritime authority, with ongoing requirements for medical fitness and professional development. In some countries, organizations such as a national pilots’ association oversee qualification standards and deployment.

Relationship to safety and regulation

Harbor pilots operate under international and national rules to ensure safe vessel movements, while maintaining the shipmaster’s ultimate responsibility for the vessel. Pilotage charges and procedures are governed by port authorities, reflecting the critical role of loodsen in safe and efficient port operations.