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Region Amsterdam-IJmond
From the North Sea, access to Amsterdam is via the Noordzeekanaal. Via the locks in IJmuiden a ship can pass through to the tideless ports of Velsen, Beverwijk, Zaanstad and Amsterdam.
The port of Den Helder is accessible for vessels with a maximum draught of 9.0 m. Vessels bound for destinations in the western part of the Waddenzee such as Vlierede, Harlingen or Kornwerderzand will get their pilot from Den Helder.
The pilots of Loodswezen Amsterdam-IJmond operate in the ports of the Amsterdam-Noordzeekanaal area and in the port of Den Helder. More than 13.000 vessels are piloted every year.
Nautical expertise
Pilots of Loodswezen Amsterdam-IJmond provide nautical expertise on a consultancy basis. In this way they contribute to the development and realisation of various projects within and outside the Amsterdam-Noordzeekanaal area. They have been consulted about the new container terminal in Amsterdam, the IJmondhaven, the Afrikahaven and other projects. In this way they have contributed to a greater accessibility of the port area. At this moment they are contributing towards the research into a new big sea lock. Loodswezen Amsterdam-IJmond has a Multi Task Simulator for training purposes which they also use for the support of such projects.
Adequate solutions
Shipping is a 24-7 business, even in adverse weather. Should conditions prevent a safe transfer of pilot by pilot tender, he will if possible, be transferred by helicopter. When pilotage is suspended, vessels under 125 metres length over all are allowed to receive so-called Shore-Based Pilotage, Shore Based Pilotage is an act of pilotage carried out from a position other than on board the vessel. In Amsterdam-IJmond Shore Based Pilotage is carried out from the IJmuiden Traffic Centre by a licensed pilot who conducts the safe navigation of that vessel.
The deep draught channel IJ-geul
For deep draught vessels, the approaches and the port of IJmuiden are restricted by tide. These vessels must therefore use the deep draught channel called IJ-geul, which was dredged in 1984. The IJ-geul is 600 and 450 metres wide and 25 miles long. Today, the IJ-geul is accessible for vessels with a maximum draught of 17.8 metres. For optimum safety and a smooth handling of traffic in and around the IJ-geul, deep draught vessels are always piloted by two specially trained pilots who use state-of-the-art navigational equipment, made compulsory by the Port Authority and the Department for Transport. These vessels always get their pilots by helicopter. Pilots board near the helicopter rendez-vous area at the entrance to the IJ-geul.
