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Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse

Fl R 4s🇨🇦Colchester Reef/Lake Erie, ON, CAOperational

This red skeletal steel tower stands 21.9 meters tall, with its light positioned 22 meters above the water. It emits a single red flash. The lighthouse was first lit in 1885, replacing an earlier lightship. The current structure dates from 1954 and includes a helideck. Its geographic range is 5.2 nautical miles.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is listed on the Canadian List of Lights as Light No. 620 and appears on Canadian Hydrographic Service Chart No. 2123.

Background
The Colchester Reef Light is an active lighthouse situated on Colchester Reef in the Western Basin of Lake Erie south of the town of Colchester, Ontario. It was originally built in 1885 by Colonel William P. Anderson to replace a lightvessel that was previously stationed on that location. The original lighthouse tower was demolished in 1954 and the current structure is a white steel skeletal tower with a helicopter landing pad. It is currently listed on the Canadian List of Lights as Light No. 620 and can be found on the Canadian Hydrographic Service Chart No. 2123.
Characteristic Signature
Fl R 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
22m
Geographic Range
5.2NM
Year Built
1885
Tower Height
21.9m
Tower Color
red
City
Colchester Reef/Lake Erie, ON
Country
🇨🇦CA
Latitude
41.9333°
Longitude
-82.8833°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse at night?+
Colchester Reef Light displays the characteristic Fl 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 Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is COLCHESTER SOUTH at 3.7 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Kingsville (8.8 NM NE), Leamington (13.8 NM ENE), Amherstburg (14.4 NM NW), Grosse Ile (15.2 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Colchester Reef Light 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 Colchester Reef Light Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Colchester Reef Light 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.