Important alerts—even with the map closed

What Rivers & Seas takes care of in good time

Instead of looking up dimensions, operating hours, gauge levels, tides, and vessel traffic in several places, you get the answers that matter for this journey. That gives you time to make a calm decision before the bridge or lock is close.

Map closed? The alert can still reach you

You set off on an unplanned cruise without building a route or checking the next lock. Rivers & Seas does not need to be in the foreground: on iPhone and iPad with their own location capability, it can check the detected waterway in the background and notify you on the Lock Screen.

The check follows your direction of travel for up to 20 kilometres. The timing depends on the type of alert, your journey, and when iOS or iPadOS provides an opportunity for a background check.

Allow it once, then let it work automatically

Allow notifications on the iPhone or iPad and set location access for Rivers & Seas to Always. Suitable location changes can then start a check automatically in the background. A Wi-Fi-only iPad without its own location capability does not support this feature.

A notification is a snapshot from the time of the check and does not update live afterwards. If a warning remains unchanged, Rivers & Seas does not simply send it again at the next check.

• The title leads with what matters—for example a closure, VHF channel, bridge clearance, or vessel length.
• It can include distance and estimated arrival, or an estimated meeting time for oncoming traffic. Earlier lockages shift arrival at later places by their stored duration, or by 30 minutes when none is available.
• Available VHF channels, call signs, and telephone numbers appear directly in the notification.
• When a telephone number is matched unambiguously, you can start the call from the notification and confirm it on the iPhone.
• For a dimensional restriction, the available and required height or width can be shown.

Where to find the view ahead

When the waterway is supported, its panel appears along the bottom of the map while you are underway. It shows the waterway name or kilometre, any known speed limit, and the next important points in your direction of travel.

Pull the panel upwards when you want the fuller picture. Bridges, locks, closures, and moving AIS vessels appear in the order in which you are likely to reach them. Distance and time help you choose when to act.

A visible Track automatically becomes the course ahead

When you follow a Track shown on the map, Rivers & Seas recognises it automatically. Bridges, locks, and notices are then ordered along that Track in your actual direction of travel. There is no Track navigation to start and no need to keep its detail view open.

This is particularly useful at junctions because the look-ahead stays with the intended course. Tap × to dismiss the recognised Track. When no suitable Track is available, Rivers & Seas follows the waterway detected from position, course, and movement as usual.

Bridge clearance at arrival – with gauge level and tide

For a bridge, you see the remaining time, distance, and—where known—the available height and width. When Rivers & Seas knows the required dimensions of your boat, it gives a clear warning if the known opening is insufficient.

On inland waterways, bridge clearance can change with the gauge level. Rivers & Seas uses it to calculate the expected height when you reach the bridge—especially useful on Berlin-Brandenburg's Spree, Havel, and canals, as well as the Danube and Elbe. At the coast, the tide is used in the same way. A clearance marked ≈ is a calculated estimate.

Reach and contact locks in good time

As you approach a lock, Rivers & Seas shows its distance and your estimated arrival. About 15 minutes beforehand, any available VHF channel and phone number are brought prominently into view. Tap the number to call it directly.

When operating hours or a current closure are known, they are assessed for your arrival. The warning is therefore not merely that the lock closes at some point, but that it will be closed or likely closed when you get there. For every later place, Rivers & Seas includes the lock's stored duration, or 30 minutes when none is available. A short expected wait until opening can also be shown.

ELWIS and EuRIS notices appear automatically

Rivers & Seas fully processes the available notices from ELWIS and EuRIS. You do not have to search those portals while underway: every notice that can be reliably matched to your waterway and direction of travel appears automatically in the right place within Waterway Ahead.

These may include closures, restrictions, and other navigation notices. Rivers & Seas relates time-limited notices to your expected arrival and brings the important part forward. You can therefore see early when a lock chamber or section will not be available when you get there.

Reach the lock with the commercial vessel ahead

When a commercial vessel is travelling ahead on the same waterway towards the next lock, Rivers & Seas can compare its arrival with yours. With sufficiently recent AIS data, you may see “Arrive with BELVEDERE” and the speed that would be needed to do so.

Get through the lock sooner: a commercial vessel ahead may give you the chance to join the next locking. Beside the lock's VHF channel and phone number, you see the speed you would need to arrive together with that vessel.

See large vessels and crossing ferries in good time

Is a large commercial vessel coming towards you beyond the next bend? Is a ferry crossing farther ahead? Rivers & Seas brings the important vessel traffic into Waterway Ahead in good time. You can slow down early, wait at a clear stretch, or prepare calmly for the encounter.

You see the vessel's name and roughly when you will meet. Course, speed, and—when available—length and beam help you understand the situation. Tap a vessel to open the other available details.

See the bridge or lock before you arrive

What does the bridge ahead actually look like? How wide is the opening? Rivers & Seas even includes photographs for many bridges and locks, together with available dimensions, operating hours, and the calculated bridge clearance when you arrive.

For locks, the VHF channel, phone number, operating hours, usable length and width, and permitted draught are ready in one place. Tap the item to open every available detail while keeping the map in view.

You remain in command

Waterway Ahead brings together information that would otherwise require several separate searches and relates it to your trip. It gives you an earlier, clearer picture, but it does not replace a proper lookout, navigation rules, signs, radio traffic, or instructions from lock staff.

Slow down early when the situation is uncertain. Check the opening, water level, and operating state as you approach, and always leave enough room to respond to other vessels.