Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Fort Central Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇫🇷Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, FROperational

Location & Light Range

About Fort Central Lighthouse

This cylindrical stone tower, built in 1952, stands 16.5 meters tall. Its lower half is black, and the upper half is yellow. The light emits a single white flash every 10 seconds from a focal height of 5 meters. With a geographic range of 8.4 nautical miles, it is situated near the port of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The lighthouse's construction utilized stone, reflecting a design intended for durability.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's white flash every 10 seconds aids vessels in maintaining safe passage and identifying their position along this segment of the French coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s
Focal Height
5m
Geographic Range
8.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1952

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cherbourg(1.3 km)
Admiralty No.
A1478
NGA No.
8336
ARLHS No.
FRA-753

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
yellow and lower half black
Material
stone

Structure: round stone tower with lantern and gallery

Location

City
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Country
🇫🇷France
Region
Normandy
Latitude
49.6715°
Longitude
-1.5988°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Fort Central Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near France, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Fort Central Lighthouse at night?+
Fort Central displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Fort Central Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Fort Central Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at 1.7 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Tourlaville (2.6 NM SSE), Querqueville (3.2 NM W), Fermanville (5.8 NM E), La Hague (8.6 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Fort Central Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Fort Central 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 Fort Central Lighthouse?+
Fort Central 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 Fort Central Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Fort Central 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.