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Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse

Fl W 3s🇯🇲Jamaica, JMOperational

Location & Light Range

About Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse

Lazaretto Cairn is a 9-meter red, round tower with a gallery, standing 28 meters above sea level. It emits a white flash every 3 seconds. This navigational aid has a geographic range of 2 nautical miles. It is situated on a bluff at the harbor entrance, west of Port Royal. The structure is a former daybeacon that has been converted to a lighted aid.

Why it matters: This lighthouse serves as the rear light for the Rackhams Cay Range, guiding vessels westward into Kingston Harbour.

Background
Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse guides vessels westward on their approach to Kingston Harbour. It appears to be a historic daybeacon converted to a lighted aid. It is located on a bluff on the west side of the harbour entrance, opposite Port Royal. It provides the rear light of the Rackhams Cay Range. Its ground is maintained by the Port Authority of Jamaica, an agency of the Ministry of Transport and Works.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl.W. period 3s
Focal Height
28m
Geographic Range
2NM

Location

City
Jamaica
Country
🇯🇲JM
Latitude
17.9360°
Longitude
-76.8739°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
round
Tower Color
red

Structure: Red tower, column, gallery; 16

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
J5296
NGA No.
13932
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6505836 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse at night?+
Lazaretto Cairn displays the characteristic Fl W 3s — 1 white flash every 3 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.
Which ports and harbors does Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Port Henderson at 1 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Port Royal (1.8 NM E), Kingston (5.4 NM ENE), Port Esquivel (14.9 NM W), Rocky Point (16.8 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Lazaretto Cairn 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 Lazaretto Cairn Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Lazaretto Cairn 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.