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Borden Flats Lighthouse

Fl W 2.5s🇺🇸Southeastern Massachusetts, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Borden Flats Lighthouse

A sparkplug lighthouse, also known as a tower-on-caisson type, stands on the Taunton River. Construction was completed in 1875, and the light was first activated in the same year. The tower reaches a height of 15 meters, with its focal plane situated at 14.5 meters above the water. It emits a white light. This structure has been recognized for its historical significance.

Why it matters: Borden Flats Light Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 15, 1987.

Background
Borden Flats Light is a historic lighthouse on the Taunton River in Fall River, Massachusetts, US. It is a tower-on-caisson type known as a sparkplug lighthouse. The light was built in 1881, and added to the National Register of Historic Places as Borden Flats Light Station on June 15, 1987, reference number 87001528.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 2.5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
2.5s
Focal Height
14.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1875
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4944488 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m

Location

City
Southeastern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.7000°
Longitude
-71.1833°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Borden Flats Lighthouse at night?+
Borden Flats displays the characteristic Fl W 2.5s — 1 white flash every 2.5 seconds. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Borden Flats Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Borden Flats Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is New Bedford-Fall River Apt at 0.7 NM to the E. Other ports served include Fall River (0.8 NM ENE), Brayton Point (0.9 NM NNW), TIVERTON (4.1 NM SSW), Somerset (4.3 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Borden Flats Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Borden Flats 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.
What shipping routes pass near Borden Flats Lighthouse?+
Borden Flats Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Borden Flats Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Borden Flats 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.