Quality and Security

The Dutch Loodswezen B.V. and its marine pilots ensure that traffic in the shipping lanes runs smoothly and efficiently both to and from ports, whilst guaranteeing the safety and protection of the environment.

The Dutch Loodswezen B.V.’s task is to ensure quality and safety with regards to the office organisation and the transport carried out by their crew. The office organisation continuously strives towards an improved quality. As a result, an ERP-system has been implemented in order to enable the maximum integration and the optimum use of a diverse range of electronic applications. They are also actively involved in acquiring an ISO certification.

Moreover, the employees of Loodswezen B.V. are highly motivated and are schooled and trained to produce excellent performances. For example, the department dealing with transportation, which includes the transfer of marine pilots to and from sea-going ships, is in a permanent state of development with regards to quality, and especially safety. Moreover, Loodwezen has worked together with external nautical engineers to develop their own fleet. The development and improvement of their own equipment, such as the rescue ladders onboard the fast tender, as well as bringing them all up to date with current regulations, has also been a priority. And above all else, the continuous training of the crews to ensure the most efficient and safe use of this equipment, is of up most necessity.

The qualifications of marine pilots increase with experience. They are able to sail on vessels of all lengths after around ten years of on the job experience, depending on the stretch of water in the different regions. On top of this, they have to undergo continuous schooling for the duration of their career.

Permanent education

As well as gaining experience from normal daily work activities, there is a system of continuous training in place. Training programs are developed to allow for safe manoeuvring and navigation in newly built ports, for example. Sometimes, these programs are implemented before the port in question has been put into use. Moreover, there are a large number of shorter courses concerning modern communications and navigation systems, as well as voyages to areas seldom used within the different regions. With measures such as the continuous assessment of education and the passing on of newly acquired knowledge to colleagues, the Dutch Loodsencorporatie tries to keep one step ahead of all the new developments within the maritime world. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain the highly professional standards of the marine pilot.