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Brant Point Lighthouse

Occ R 4s🇺🇸Southeastern Massachusetts, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Brant Point Lighthouse

This red, 26-meter tower was built in 1901 and first lit the same year. It stands on Nantucket Island, offering a geographic range of 10 nautical miles. The light emits a single red occulting flash. The focal height of the light is 8 meters. This structure represents the tenth lighthouse to be established at Brant Point.

Why it matters: The current tower, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the tenth light to stand on this point.

Background
Brant Point Light is a lighthouse located on Nantucket Island. The station was established in 1746, automated in 1965, and is still in operation. The current tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1987; it has the distinction of being the tenth light on the point, in addition to several range lights. Four of the others burned or blew down, two were condemned, two were unsatisfactory, and the remaining one stands unused.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ R 4s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc
Focal Height
8m
Geographic Range
10NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1901
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4957614 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
26m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
Southeastern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.2899°
Longitude
-70.0903°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Brant Point Lighthouse at night?+
Brant Point displays the characteristic Occ R 4s — 1 red flash every 4 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Brant Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Brant Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is NANTUCKET at 0.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Edgartown (19.8 NM WNW), SHIP SHOPS (22.6 NM N), West Yarmouth (22.8 NM NNW), HYANNIS (23.1 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Brant Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Brant Point 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 Brant Point Lighthouse?+
Brant Point 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 Brant Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Brant Point 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.