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Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse

Fl White 10s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse

Located at the entrance to Mobile Bay, this lighthouse aids navigation into Alabama's maritime commerce hub. Constructed in 1963, it functions as the rear range light, working with a front counterpart to guide vessels through dredged channels. Its white tower emits a single white flash every ten seconds, a consistent signal for mariners. The site is accessible to the public, though the tower itself remains closed for operational reasons. This modern structure is an active part of the region's navigational system.

Why it matters: This range light provides essential alignment guidance for vessels entering and departing Mobile Bay, helping them safely navigate deep-water channels.

Background
The Mobile Point Range Lights were a series of lighthouses at the entrance to Mobile Bay, at Mobile Point on the tip of the Fort Morgan peninsula, near Mobile, Alabama, United States. The first lighthouse was built as a landfall light by June 1822 at a cost of $9,995. The lighthouse was a conical brick masonry tower, 40 feet (12 m) tall. It was first lit on 29 September 1822. Fort Morgan was built adjacent to the lighthouse in 1833. The lighthouse was joined by the 200-foot (61 m) Sand Island Light across the mouth of the bay, about 3 miles (4.8 km) away in 1858. This resulted in the Mobile Point Lighthouse being downgraded to a harbor light, at the same time a fourth order Fresnel lens was installed. A period photograph, taken prior to the American Civil War, shows two shorter masonry tow

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl W 10s

Construction & History

Year Built
1963

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Color
white

Structure: The Mobile Point (Range A Rear) lighthouse is situated at the strategic entrance to Mobile Bay, a critical waterway for Alabama's maritime commerce. Built in 1963, this light represents a more modern era of navigational aids, designed to work in concert with a front range light to provide precise guidance for ships. Its purpose is to help mariners align their vessels correctly as they navigate the dredged channels leading into or out of the bay, ensuring safe passage through potentially tricky waters. The light emits a steady white flash every ten seconds, a reliable signal for those traversing the Gulf Coast. Today, the lighthouse remains an active and essential component of the region's navigational infrastructure. While the site itself is open to the public, offering views of the bay and the surrounding coastal environment, the tower itself is not accessible for climbing, maintaining its operational focus.

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Alabama
Sea Region
Mobile Point, guiding vessels into or out of Mobile Bay
Latitude
30.2282°
Longitude
-88.0234°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Coden(14.4 km)
Admiralty No.
J3438.1
USCG No.
4-0180
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q6886944 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse at night?+
Mobile Point (Range A Rear) displays the characteristic Fl White 10s. 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 Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is GULF SHORES at 1.6 NM to the E. Other ports served include Alabama Pt. (8.3 NM NNW), CODEN (14.5 NM NW), BAYOU LA BATRE (16 NM NW), Deer river (18.4 NM NNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Mobile Point (Range A Rear) 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 Mobile Point (Range A Rear) Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Mobile Point (Range A Rear) 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.