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Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse

Oc Red 5s🇬🇧Dartford, GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse

A 10-meter red steel tripod tower built in 1975 stands just off a sharp point on the south side of the Thames above Gravesend. This structure replaced an earlier hexagonal skeletal tower that was part of the station established in 1885. The lighthouse emits a red occulting light every 5 seconds from a focal height of 12 meters, visible for 11 nautical miles. It is connected to the shore by a footbridge and operated by the Port of London Authority. The nearest port is Tilbury, located 0.9 km away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns mariners of a sharp point on the south side of the Thames above Gravesend, helping to prevent groundings and collisions in a busy commercial waterway.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Red 5s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Red
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Oc R 5s
Focal Height
12m
Geographic Range
11NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1975

Significant events: station established 1885, replaced hexagonal skeletal tower

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Tilbury(0.9 km)
Admiralty No.
A2124.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10m
Tower Shape
tripod
Tower Color
red
Material
steel

Structure: A 10m red painted steel tripod tower.

Location

City
Dartford
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
England
Sea Region
just off a sharp point on the south side of the Thames above Gravesend
Latitude
51.4671°
Longitude
0.3100°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse at night?+
Dartford Borough Lighthouse displays the characteristic Oc Red 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Grays at 0.4 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Tilbury (1.4 NM ESE), Northfleet (1.5 NM SE), Purfleet (2.1 NM W), Dartford (2.2 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Dartford Borough Lighthouse 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 Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Dartford Borough Lighthouse Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Dartford Borough Lighthouse 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.