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Barataria Bay Lighthouse

Fl Yellow 2.5s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Barataria Bay Lighthouse

Also known as: Barataria Bay (Fort Livingston)

Barataria Bay Lighthouse stands on the northwest corner of Fort Livingston. The station was first established in 1856, initially featuring an octagonal brick tower. That structure was largely destroyed by a hurricane in 1893. A replacement square wood skeletal tower was erected in 1897. The current 15-meter steel skeletal tower, painted white, was put in place around 1945. It emits a yellow flash characteristic every 2.5 seconds and has a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, though the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's repeated reconstruction after hurricanes highlights the continuous need for navigational aids at the entrance to Barataria Bay. Its location on Fort Livingston also connects military history with maritime safety.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Yellow 2.5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Yellow
Interval
2.5s
Raw Code
Fl Y 2.5s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1945
First Lit
1856

Significant events: first lighthouse largely destroyed by a hurricane in 1893, replaced by a square wood skeletal tower in 1897, replaced around 1945 by a steel skeletal tower

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
white and mounted on the northwest corner of Fort Livingston
Material
steel

Structure: A 15m square pyramidal skeletal tower, painted white. It is mounted on the northwest corner of Fort Livingston.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Louisiana
Sea Region
Barataria Bay, mounted on the northwest corner of Fort Livingston
Latitude
29.2732°
Longitude
-89.9455°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Grand Island(3.4 km)
Admiralty No.
J3929.8
USCG No.
4-15860
ARLHS No.
USA-035
Wikidata
Q28376283 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Barataria Bay Lighthouse at night?+
Barataria Bay displays the characteristic Fl Yellow 2.5s. 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 yellow color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Barataria Bay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Barataria Bay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Port Fourchon at 16.5 NM to the SW. Other ports served include GOLDEN MEADOW (17.8 NM WNW), Port Sulphur (18 NM NE), Port Sulphur (18.2 NM NE), Empire (20.3 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Barataria Bay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Barataria Bay 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 Barataria Bay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Barataria Bay 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.