A more thorough explanation:

A lodeman, also spelled loadsman or lodesman, is a person who directs a ship's course from a small boat traveling in front of the larger ship instead of from the ship itself. They are responsible for guiding the ship safely through waters and into port.

For example, in the past, loadsmen had a monopoly on piloting in the Cinque Ports. They would guide ships through the treacherous waters of the English Channel and into the ports. Additionally, after a pilot had brought a ship into port, a lodeman would take the ship to its berth.

These examples illustrate how a lodeman's role was crucial in ensuring the safe navigation of ships through dangerous waters and into port. They were skilled navigators who had extensive knowledge of the local waters and were trusted to guide ships to their destination.