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Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse

Fl WR 5s🇺🇸Upstate New York, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse

Construction of the Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse was completed in 1934, superseding an earlier light established in 1880. This lighthouse stands at the extremity of a 610-meter breakwater that extends 800 meters into Lake Ontario. The tower itself reaches a height of 12 meters, with its light situated 17.5 meters above the water. It emits a white and red light, guiding vessels. The lighthouse is accessible via boat or by walking the adjacent breakwater.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is recognized as a National Register of Historic Places listed place.

Background
Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation located off the coast of Oswego, New York. It was built in 1934 to replace an earlier light constructed in 1880. It stands at the end of a 2,000-foot-long (610 m) breakwater at mouth of Oswego River, extending one-half mile (0.80 km) out onto Lake Ontario. It is accessible by boat or from land over the abutting breakwater. It is open to the public for tours during the summer. It is owned by the City of Oswego and operated by the United States Coast Guard. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Focal Height
17.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1880
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7108231 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12m

Location

City
Upstate New York
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
43.4733°
Longitude
-76.5166°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse at night?+
Oswego Harbor West Pierhead displays the characteristic Fl WR 5s — 1 wr flash every 5 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 wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Oswego at 1 NM to the S. Other ports served include Mexico (11.9 NM ENE), RED CREEK (12.6 NM SW), NORTH SANDY POND (17.2 NM NE), PHOENIX TOWN WALL (17.6 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Oswego Harbor West Pierhead 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 Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Oswego Harbor West Pierhead 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.