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North Brother Island Lighthouse

Fl G 4s🇺🇸Downstate New York, USInactive

Location & Light Range

About North Brother Island Lighthouse

The North Brother Island Lighthouse was constructed in 1869 on North Brother Island, situated in the East River of New York City. This structure stood 47 feet above the water, marking the southern tip of the island. Its illumination system featured an occulting light, displaying a white light for five seconds followed by five seconds of darkness. The lighthouse was operational from its first lighting in 1869 until its decommissioning.

Background
North Brother Island Light was a lighthouse located on North Brother Island in the East River in New York City. The lighthouse was at the southern tip of the island. Before the lighthouse was erected, the island was uninhabited and saw no formal use. The tower utilized an occulting light which lit for five seconds and eclipsed for five seconds. It stood 47 feet above the water.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl G 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
4s

Location

City
Downstate New York
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.7992°
Longitude
-73.8996°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1869

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7054312 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify North Brother Island Lighthouse at night?+
North Brother Island displays the characteristic Fl G 4s — 1 green flash every 4 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does North Brother Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
North Brother Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Port Morris, Bronx at 0.6 NM to the W. Other ports served include HUNTS POINT (1.1 NM E), COLLEGE POINT (2.6 NM E), Manhattan/New York (3.2 NM WSW), EDGEWATER (3.7 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is North Brother Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
North Brother Island Lighthouse is currently listed as inactive. It may have been decommissioned, replaced by a different navigation aid, or temporarily taken out of service. Mariners should check the latest Notices to Mariners for current status.
What shipping routes pass near North Brother Island Lighthouse?+
North Brother Island Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near North Brother Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near North Brother Island 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.