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Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse

🇬🇧GBOperational

This steel lightship, built in 1931, is a 26.2-meter vessel painted red, featuring a large lantern mounted on a mast. It previously guided vessels from the Edinburgh Channel station in the Thames estuary and later from Cork Bank off Harwich. Decommissioned in 1974, the vessel was acquired by Taylor Woodrow Maritime Heritage Site and renamed Nore, serving as office space. Since 1996, it has been in private ownership and is now moored at Port Werburgh Marina in Hoo, on the River Medway estuary, approximately 0.1 km from the nearest port. Restoration efforts are underway.

Why it matters: Lightship 86 Nore represents a tangible connection to past methods of maritime navigation, having marked significant shipping routes like the Edinburgh Channel and Cork Bank.

Tower Color
red
Material
steel

Structure: A 26.2 m (86 ft) steel lightship, painted red, with a large lantern atop a mast amidships.

Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
England
Sea Region
The River Medway estuary, currently moored at Port Werburgh Marina in Hoo. It previously served on the Edinburgh Channel station in the Thames estuary and at Cork Bank off Harwich.
Latitude
51.4107°
Longitude
0.5567°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Year Built
1931

Significant events: Decommissioned 1974, sold to Taylor Woodrow Maritime Heritage Site, renamed Nore, used as office space, sold to private individual in 1996, moored at Port Werburgh Marina, underwent restoration efforts

Nearest Port
Hoo(0.1 km)
ARLHS No.
ENG-325
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Which ports and harbors does Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is HOO at 0.1 NM to the ENE. Other ports served include Chatham (0.8 NM SW), Gillingham (0.9 NM S), Upnor (1.6 NM WSW), Rochester (1.9 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships 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 Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse?+
Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships 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.