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Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse

A 52-meter tall, white, triangular skeletal steel tower with a gallery. It has a focal height of 52 meters and was first lit in 1915. The light displays a white flash every 6 seconds. The tower rests on a square platform supported by four piles. It is located in Charleston Harbor, northwest of Fort Sumter, marking the Charleston Entrance Channel east of the city's waterfront. Charleston port is 1.6 kilometers distant.

Why it matters: This range light marks the Charleston Entrance Channel, providing navigation for commercial and naval ships entering Charleston Harbor.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
52m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1915

Significant events: Established in 1915 at current location

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
52m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
white
Material
steel

Structure: A 52m triangular skeletal tower with a gallery, mounted on a square platform supported by four piles, painted white.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
South Carolina
Sea Region
Charleston Harbor, guiding vessels in the Charleston Entrance Channel, located east of the city waterfront and northwest of Fort Sumter.
Latitude
32.7661°
Longitude
-79.9020°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Charleston(1.6 km)
Admiralty No.
J2648.1
USCG No.
3-2390
ARLHS No.
USA-1163
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse at night?+
Fort Sumter Range Rear displays the characteristic Fl White 6s. 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 Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Charleston at 1.3 NM to the NW. Other ports served include North Charleston (1.3 NM NW), Charleston (1.8 NM NNW), Charleston Heights (6 NM NNW), Wadmalaw Island (14.6 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Fort Sumter Range Rear 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 Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse?+
Fort Sumter Range Rear 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 Fort Sumter Range Rear Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Fort Sumter Range Rear 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.