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Great Basses Reef Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇱🇰LKOperational

Location & Light Range

About Great Basses Reef Lighthouse

Great Basses Reef Lighthouse, built in 1873, is a cylindrical granite tower standing 37 meters tall, painted white. It is situated on a reef approximately 13 kilometers offshore, east of Kirinda, in the Indian Ocean. The tower features a lantern and gallery, and its light emits a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for 16 nautical miles. Its construction was overseen by engineers Alexander Gordon and Sir James Douglass. The lighthouse is located 22.8 kilometers from the nearest port, Hambantota. Despite enduring the 2004 tsunami with only minor damage, it was repaired and became fully operational again by 2007.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for warning vessels of the submerged Great Basses Reef, a significant hazard to maritime traffic along this critical shipping route. Its resilience to the 2004 tsunami demonstrates its strong engineering.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
34m
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1873

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hambantota(22.8 km)
Admiralty No.
F0840
NGA No.
27272
ARLHS No.
SLI-010

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
37m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
granite

Structure: round granite tower with lantern and gallery, painted white

Location

Country
🇱🇰LK
Latitude
6.1819°
Longitude
81.4812°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Great Basses Reef Lighthouse at night?+
Great Basses Reef displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. 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 Great Basses Reef Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Great Basses Reef Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Hambantota at 22.8 NM to the W. Other ports served include Mawella (46.2 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Great Basses Reef Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Great Basses Reef 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 Great Basses Reef Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Great Basses Reef 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.