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Faro Blanco Lighthouse

Fl Green 4s🇺🇸USOperational

Faro Blanco is an octagonal tower standing 20 meters tall, with its focal plane at 21 meters. The structure features a lantern and gallery, with its first floor painted red, the remainder white, and a narrow red band near the top; the lantern itself is black. This light emits a green flash every 4 seconds, visible for 13.4 nautical miles. The current lighthouse was built and first lit in 2014, replacing an original structure that was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The site is open to the public, although the tower is closed.

Why it matters: The 2014 reconstruction after Hurricane Wilma's destruction of the original structure underscores the continuous need for reliable aids to navigation in this hurricane-prone region.

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl G 4s
Focal Height
21m
Geographic Range
13.4NM
Year Built
2014

Significant events: Original lighthouse damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, replaced in 2014

Open to public
Site open, tower closed
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Tower Height
20m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
brown

Structure: A 20m octagonal tower with lantern and gallery. Its first floor is painted red, the rest white with a narrow red band at the top, and the lantern is black.

Country
🇺🇸United States
Sea Region
on the Faro Blanco Pier on the northwest side of Vaca Key in Marathon
Latitude
24.6278°
Longitude
-81.1109°
Nearest Port
Summerland Key(18.5 km)
Admiralty No.
J2996
USCG No.
3-13720
ARLHS No.
USA-768
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How do mariners identify Faro Blanco Lighthouse at night?+
Faro Blanco displays the characteristic Fl Green 4s. 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Faro Blanco Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Faro Blanco Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is MARATHON at 4.9 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include OHIO KEY (8 NM WNW), Summerland Key (18.5 NM W), ISLAMORADA (30.4 NM NE), Key West (35.6 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Faro Blanco Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Faro Blanco 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 Faro Blanco Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Faro Blanco 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.