Just set off
On many inland waterways, the way ahead is already clear: follow the river, continue along the canal, or take the next branch. You do not need to draw a route for that.
As you travel, Rivers & Seas recognises your waterway, direction, and speed. It automatically builds the look-ahead, showing what comes next and when you are likely to arrive.
Get the answers other apps make you plan a route to see
The line on the map is not the important part. What matters is whether the lock will be open when you arrive, whether your boat fits beneath the bridge, and what may be coming around the next bend.
Where will I be, and when?
Arrival time and distance appear beside bridges, locks, closures, and other important places ahead.
Will my boat fit?
Known boat dimensions, clearances, and available water levels are compared before the passage becomes urgent.
Will the lock be open?
Operating hours and available closure notices are related to your expected arrival.
What is coming towards me?
AIS vessels ahead are placed in the context of the waterway, including beyond bends and narrow passages.
Take another branch and Rivers & Seas looks ahead again
If you turn onto another waterway, there is nothing to edit and no route to recalculate. The look-ahead follows your actual journey and automatically reorders bridges, locks, notices, and vessel traffic.
What you see therefore matches the waterway you are really travelling, rather than a plan you made earlier.
Rivers & Seas can even look ahead while your iPhone is locked
The map does not have to stay open. With notifications and location access enabled, Rivers & Seas can alert you to a closed lock, a bridge that is too low, or a large vessel approaching ahead.
It can even spot an opportunity to share a locking. When a suitable commercial vessel is travelling ahead, Rivers & Seas can show the speed needed to reach the lock together.
How to start
- Open Rivers & Seas and allow it to use your position.
- For alerts while the iPhone is locked, allow notifications and set location access to Always.
- Set off. Rivers & Seas shows and updates the waterway ahead automatically.
When a planned route is still useful
A conventional route can help with a long cruising holiday, comparing different cruising grounds, or organising a day in detail. This kind of planning is intended for Rivers & Seas in the future.
You do not need it for the important information underway. The automatic look-ahead follows your real journey, even when you leave spontaneously or choose a different branch.