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Great Beds Lighthouse

Fl R 6s🇺🇸New Jersey, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Great Beds Lighthouse

Constructed in 1880, Great Beds Light is a sparkplug lighthouse situated in Raritan Bay, approximately 1.6 kilometers from South Amboy, New Jersey. The red, 18.6-meter-tall tower stands at a focal height of 18.5 meters. Its light emits a single red flash with a geographic range of 6 nautical miles. This structure has been operational since its first lighting in 1880.

Why it matters: The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, recognized for its architectural, engineering, transportation, and maritime historical significance. It has become a recognized symbol for the city of South Amboy.

Background
Great Beds Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Raritan Bay, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from South Amboy of Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. Over the years the lighthouse has become the symbol for the city of South Amboy. Named as Great Beds Light Station, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 2008, for its significance in architecture, engineering, transportation, and maritime history.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl R 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
18.5m
Geographic Range
6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1880
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5598744 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18.6m
Tower Color
red

Location

City
New Jersey
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.4833°
Longitude
-74.2500°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Great Beds Lighthouse at night?+
Great Beds 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 Great Beds Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Great Beds Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is SOUTH AMBOY at 1.1 NM to the WNW. Other ports served include Mounts Mills (1.2 NM WNW), BROWN'S BOAT YARD (1.8 NM SSW), MORGAN (1.9 NM SSW), Tottenville, Staten Island (1.9 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Great Beds Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Great Beds 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 Great Beds Lighthouse?+
Great Beds 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 Great Beds Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Great Beds 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.