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Otterhällen Lighthouse

Fl (2) White/Red/Green 6s🇸🇪Söderhamns kommun, SEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Otterhällen Lighthouse

Otterhällen, built in 1963, is a white cylindrical tower standing 6 meters tall on a small islet at the north entrance to Söderhamn. It features a green lantern room with a yellow horizontal band. The lighthouse emits two white, red, or green flashes every six seconds, providing a geographic range of 10.4 nautical miles. The site is accessible to the public, though the tower itself remains closed. Its nearest port is Sandarne, 2.3 kilometers away. This operational lighthouse serves as a marker for vessels entering the Söderhamn municipality.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's distinctive color-changing light serves to precisely delineate safe channels and warn of shoals at the harbor entrance, aiding navigation into Söderhamn.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) White/Red/Green 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl(2) WRG 6s
Focal Height
10m
Light Range
5NM (9.3 km)
Geographic Range
10.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1963

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white

Structure: round tower with lantern and gallery colored green with a yellow horizontal band

Location

City
Söderhamns kommun
Country
🇸🇪Sweden
Region
Gävleborg County
Sea Region
on an islet on the north side of the entrance to Söderhamn
Latitude
61.2668°
Longitude
17.2478°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sandarne(2.3 km)
Admiralty No.
C6093
NGA No.
10548
ARLHS No.
SWE-437
Wikidata
Q32303448 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Otterhällen Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 10 meters and a nominal range of 5 nautical miles (approximately 9.3 km), Otterhällen is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. As a shorter-range light, it primarily serves nearshore and coastal traffic.
How do mariners identify Otterhällen Lighthouse at night?+
Otterhällen displays the characteristic Fl (2) White/Red/Green 6s — 2 white/red/green flashes every 6 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 Otterhällen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Otterhällen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sandarne at 1.9 NM to the W. Other ports served include Ala (4.1 NM SW), Ljusne (4.5 NM SW), Vallvik (5.3 NM SSW), Stugsund (6 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Otterhällen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Otterhällen 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 Otterhällen Lighthouse?+
Otterhällen Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Otterhällen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Otterhällen 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.