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Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇪🇸Ferrol, ESOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse

Established in 1854, this octagonal stone tower stands 6 meters tall and is embedded in a keeper's house. Its focal height reaches 36 meters, casting a white flash every 5 seconds visible for over 16 nautical miles. The lighthouse marks the entrance to the Ría de Ferrol, southwest of the city of Ferrol, offering views of the Atlantic, the Ría de Ferrol to the northeast, and the Ría de Batanzos to the southeast. In 1990, vandals heavily damaged the structure, leading to several months out of service while its optical equipment was replaced. Further upgrades in 1995 included converting the light to electric power and installing an acrylic Fresnel lens.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is indispensable for maritime safety, specifically guiding vessels through the challenging entrance to the Ría de Ferrol and ensuring safe passage to the significant port of Ferrol.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
36m
Geographic Range
16.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1854

Significant events: Heavily damaged by vandals in 1990, out of service for several months, optical equipment replaced; optical equipment replaced again in 1995, converted from gas to electric power, acrylic Fresnel lens installed

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ferrol(4.3 km)
Admiralty No.
D1694
NGA No.
2464
ARLHS No.
SPA-039

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
stone
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, embedded in the front of a 1-story masonry keeper's house

Location

City
Ferrol
Country
🇪🇸Spain
Region
Galicia
Sea Region
Located at the end of a peninsula 15 km southwest of Ferrol, marking the entrance to the Ría de Ferrol and the approach to the harbor of Ferrol, with views of the Atlantic, the Ría de Ferrol to the northeast, and the Ría de Batanzos to the southeast
Latitude
43.4588°
Longitude
-8.3404°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse at night?+
Cabo Prioriño Chico displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Mugardos at 4.2 NM to the E. Other ports served include Ferrol (4.8 NM ENE), ARES (4.9 NM ESE), La Coruña (A Coruña) (6.4 NM SSW), FENE (6.6 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cabo Prioriño Chico 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 Cabo Prioriño Chico Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cabo Prioriño Chico 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.