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Moholmen Lighthouse

Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s🇳🇴Vågan, NOOperational

This square pyramidal cast iron tower stands 12.5 meters tall and was first lit in 1936. Its lantern room is red, and the tower itself is white. The focal height of the light is 23 meters, and it emits two white, red, or green flashes every 8 seconds, depending on the direction. Situated on a small island in the Vestfjord, approximately 4 kilometers southwest of Kabelvåg, the lighthouse is about 4.3 kilometers by boat from Henningsvær. The original, taller lighthouse structure was relocated to Tranøy. The current lighthouse has a geographic range of 13.8 nautical miles.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's directional light, changing color to indicate approach, provides precise guidance in the Vestfjord, an important area for local maritime traffic.

Background
Moholmen Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse in Vågan Municipality in Nordland county, Norway. The lighthouse is located on a small island in the Vestfjorden about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest of the village of Kabelvåg and about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) straight west of the Skrova Lighthouse.
Characteristic Signature
Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
8s
Raw Code
Oc(2) WRG 8s
Focal Height
23m
Light Range
11.7NM (21.7 km)
Geographic Range
13.8NM
Year Built
1936

Significant events: original lighthouse moved to Tranøy, friends group formed but gave up efforts

Nearest Port
Henningsvar(4.3 km)
Admiralty No.
L2896
NGA No.
115-11540
ARLHS No.
NOR-165
Wikidata
Q6894284
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
Tower Height
12.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with a red lantern
Material
iron

Structure: square pyramidal cast iron tower with lantern and gallery

City
Vågan
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Nordland
Sea Region
small island in the Vestfjord about 4 km southwest of Kabelvåg
Latitude
68.1577°
Longitude
14.4046°
Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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How far offshore can Moholmen Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 23 meters and a nominal range of 11.7 nautical miles (approximately 21.7 km), Moholmen is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Moholmen Lighthouse at night?+
Moholmen displays the characteristic Oc (2) White/Red/Green 8s — 2 white/red/green flashes every 8 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 white/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Moholmen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Moholmen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kabelvåg at 3.6 NM to the NNE. Other ports served include Henningsvær (4.7 NM W), Svolvær Osan (5.4 NM NNE), Svolvær (5.8 NM NE), Skrova (5.9 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Moholmen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Moholmen 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 Moholmen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Moholmen 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.