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Çengelköy Lighthouse

Fl (3) Red 15s🇹🇷Üsküdar, TROperational

Çengelköy Lighthouse stands on the east bank of the Bosporus in Istanbul's Çengelköy neighborhood. The cylindrical, fiberglass tower, 13 meters tall, features white paint with three narrow red horizontal bands. It emits a red flash every 15 seconds, visible for 11.9 nautical miles. This structure marks the first sharp turn in the Bosporus for northbound vessels, situated just north of the Boğaziçi Bridge. The site is open to visitors, though the tower itself is closed. Its nearest port is Beylerbeyi, 0.2 kilometers away.

Why it matters: This lighthouse guides northbound ships around the first critical turn in the Bosporus, just past the Boğaziçi Bridge, contributing to maritime safety in a busy strait.

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) Red 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl R 15s
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
11.9NM
City
Üsküdar
Country
🇹🇷Turkey
Region
Istanbul
Sea Region
Located on the waterfront on the east bank of the Bosporus in the Çengelköy neighborhood, it marks the first sharp turn in the Bosporus for northbound ships, just north of the Boğaziçi (Bosporus) Bridge.
Latitude
41.0539°
Longitude
29.0517°
Nearest Port
Beylerbeyi(0.2 km)
Admiralty No.
N4938.3
NGA No.
17400
Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with three narrow red horizontal bands
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How do mariners identify Çengelköy Lighthouse at night?+
Çengelköy displays the characteristic Fl (3) Red 15s — 3 red flashes every 15 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 Çengelköy Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Çengelköy Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Beylerbeyi at 0.2 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Besiktas (1.6 NM W), Üsküdar (2.2 NM S), Istanbul (2.5 NM NNW), Kabatas (2.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Çengelköy Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Çengelköy 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 Çengelköy Lighthouse?+
Çengelköy Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Çengelköy Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Çengelköy 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.