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Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse

Q Yellow🇺🇸Los Angeles, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse

This 13-meter-tall skeletal tower guides vessels entering the inner Los Angeles Harbor from the sea. Constructed as a square cylindrical skeletal tower topped with a lantern, it stands directly in the water. Its focal height matches the tower's height, and it emits a quick-flashing yellow light. Situated 0.3 kilometers from San Pedro Harbor, this aid to navigation has a geographic range of 11.3 nautical miles.

Why it matters: This range front light is indispensable for the safe navigation of large commercial vessels entering the inner Los Angeles Harbor, one of the busiest container ports globally. It forms a critical part of a range system, aligning ships precisely within the narrow, deep-water channel, thereby preventing groundings and collisions in a high-traffic area.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q Yellow
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Yellow
Raw Code
Q Y
Focal Height
13m
Geographic Range
11.3NM

Location

City
Los Angeles
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
California
Sea Region
Inner Los Angeles Harbor, just offshore at the head of the channel, guiding ships.
Latitude
33.7194°
Longitude
-118.2715°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
skeletal

Structure: A 13m square cylindrical skeletal tower with a lantern.

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
San Pedro Harbor(0.3 km)
Admiralty No.
G3800
USCG No.
6-3122
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front displays the characteristic Q Yellow. 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 yellow color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Los Angeles at 1.3 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Wilmington (2.8 NM N), Long Beach (3.6 NM NE), Thenard (4.3 NM NNE), SEAL BEACH (8.8 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front 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 Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse?+
Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Los Angeles Main Channel Range Front 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.