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Duxbury Pier Lighthouse

Fl R 5s🇺🇸Northern Massachusetts, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Duxbury Pier Lighthouse

Duxbury Pier Light, also known as "Bug Light," stands 14 meters tall and is located in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts. It was constructed in 1871 on the north side of the harbor's main channel. The lighthouse was built to identify a hazardous shoal extending from Saquish Head. Its distinctive coffeepot shape distinguishes it from other lights. The structure emits a single red light from a focal height of 10.5 meters.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
Duxbury Pier lighthouse also called Duxbury Light (nicknamed the "Bug Light") is a lighthouse located in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts. Duxbury Pier Light was built in 1871 on the north side of the main channel in Plymouth Harbor to mark the dangerous shoal off Saquish Head. The unusual coffeepot-shaped lighthouse is locally known as "Bug Light" or simply "The Bug." It was the first so-called sparkplug lighthouse in the United States. Application was made to list the lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl R 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
10.5m

Construction & History

Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5317656 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m

Location

City
Northern Massachusetts
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.9874°
Longitude
-70.6486°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Duxbury Pier Lighthouse at night?+
Duxbury Pier displays the characteristic Fl R 5s — 1 red flash every 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. The red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Duxbury Pier Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Duxbury Pier Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is PLYMOUTH HARBOR at 1.7 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include PLYMOUTH (1.9 NM SSW), Duxbury (3.2 NM NNW), Carver (8.2 NM SW), WHITE'S FERRY (9.2 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Duxbury Pier Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Duxbury Pier 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 Duxbury Pier Lighthouse?+
Duxbury Pier 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 Duxbury Pier Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Duxbury Pier 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.