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Fort Washington Lighthouse

Fl R 6s🇺🇸Maryland, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Fort Washington Lighthouse

This lighthouse was constructed in 1882 and first lit the same year. Its tower stands 8.5 meters tall, with the focal plane at an equal height. The light emitted is red and has a geographic range of 4 nautical miles. This navigational aid serves the waters near Maryland.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl R 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Focal Height
8.5m
Geographic Range
4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1882

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5472260 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m

Location

City
Maryland
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
38.7122°
Longitude
-77.0369°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Fort Washington Lighthouse at night?+
Fort Washington displays the characteristic Fl R 6s — 1 red flash every 6 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 Fort Washington Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Fort Washington Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Alexandria at 5.3 NM to the N. Other ports served include Alexandria (5.8 NM N), Washington (9.6 NM N), District Heights (11 NM NE), Chevy Chase (15.4 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Fort Washington Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Fort Washington 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 Washington Lighthouse?+
Fort Washington 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 Washington Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Fort Washington 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.