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Ballast Island Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇺🇸Put-in-Bay Township, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ballast Island Lighthouse

A 20.5 meter square skeletal steel tower marks Ballast Island, with its light visible from a focal height of 28 meters. First illuminated in 1916, the lighthouse emits a white flash every 4 seconds, visible for nearly 15 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated on a small, privately owned island approximately 2 kilometers northeast of South Bass Island and the same distance east of Middle Bass Island. Its site is open to the public, but the tower itself remains closed. The nearest port is Lakeside Marblehead, 8.5 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is important for guiding vessels navigating between the islands of this region, specifically warning of Ballast Island's presence.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
28m
Geographic Range
14.9NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1916

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20.5m
Tower Shape
square
Material
steel

Structure: A 20.5m square cylindrical skeletal tower with a focal plane of 28m.

Location

City
Put-in-Bay Township
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Ohio
Sea Region
Ballast Island, a small, privately owned island located about 1.25 mi (2 km) northeast of South Bass Island and the same distance east of Middle Bass Island.
Latitude
41.6789°
Longitude
-82.7848°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Lakeside marblehead(8.5 km)
USCG No.
7-5650
ARLHS No.
USA-1245
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Ballast Island Lighthouse at night?+
Ballast Island displays the characteristic Fl White 4s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Ballast Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ballast Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is LAKESIDE MARBLEHEAD at 8.5 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include PORT CLINTON (12.2 NM SW), Sandusky, Erie (13.4 NM SSE), COLCHESTER SOUTH (19.4 NM NNW), Huron (19.9 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ballast Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ballast Island Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Ballast Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ballast Island Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.