Common questions
What is a lock-mile?
One mile of canal plus one lock each count as a lock-mile. A crew covers about three an hour, so a 12 lock-mile day is roughly four hours. You can change the pace in Settings. Once you have timed a few locks on the lock board, arrival times use your crew's real speed.
How do I start my own cruise?
Go to Routes, open a ring or canal, and tap "Plan a cruise on this route". Pick the direction, the first day, your cast-off time and how many hours a day you want to cruise, then tap "Chart this cruise". Today switches to your new plan.
Tonight's mooring is in the wrong place.
On Today, tap "Change mooring" and choose any mooring ahead. Later days re-plan themselves from there. To go back to the automatic choice, tap "Let Lock Miles choose".
How does the lock board work?
Tap "Work" next to a lock, swing bridge, lift bridge or tunnel. The board shows who does each step (steerer, lead wheeler, back wheeler) and draws the water level in the chamber. Tap "Swap roles" to rotate the crew. For a flight, the board counts through each lock. When you finish, the lock is ticked off and its time is recorded.
How are the tank levels worked out?
Log a level on the Services tab whenever you fill up, pump out or dip a tank. Between readings, Lock Miles estimates usage from the rates in Settings (days per tank of water, days to fill the waste tank, engine hours per tank of diesel).
I didn't get a licence or BSS reminder.
Reminders need notifications to be allowed. Check Settings → Notifications in the app, and make sure the paper has an expiry date with "Remind me" switched on. Reminders arrive 30 and 7 days before expiry, at 9 in the morning.
Does it need a phone signal?
No. All route data is built into the app, and your plans and logbook are stored on your device. Nothing needs a connection.
How do I add the widget?
Touch and hold your Home Screen, tap Edit, then Add Widget, search for Lock Miles and choose the small or medium size. It shows the lock-miles left, the next stop and your arrival time.
A lock name or distance looks wrong.
The gazetteer is a planning guide. Always check Canal & River Trust stoppage notices and local signs before you set off. Tell us through the form below and we'll correct it in the next update.
How do I delete my data?
Settings → Reset all progress deletes ticks, logbook days, papers, tank readings, pins and badges. Deleting the app removes everything. See the privacy policy.