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Pictou Lighthouse

Iso Red 4s🇨🇦Pictou, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Pictou Lighthouse

First lit in 1958, the Pictou lighthouse was a cylindrical steel tower painted red, standing 12.5 meters tall. It was situated on a hilltop overlooking the Pictou waterfront, near the town's port. The lighthouse emitted a single red flash on an isophase cycle, providing a geographic range of 16 nautical miles. This structure replaced an earlier light at the Customs House, continuing to guide vessels. Its operational service ended in 2022, and the tower was subsequently demolished. The site remains accessible to the public.

Why it matters: The lighthouse was essential for guiding vessels approaching the eastern side of Pictou's port, replacing a previous light structure.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso Red 4s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Iso.R
Focal Height
29m
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1958

Significant events: Inactive since 2022, demolished in 2022

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
12.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red
Material
steel

Structure: square cylindrical skeletal tower, painted red

Location

City
Pictou
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Nova Scotia
Sea Region
Pictou waterfront, on a hilltop at Front and Welsford Streets
Latitude
45.6771°
Longitude
-62.7027°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Pictou(0.2 km)
Admiralty No.
H1248.1
NGA No.
8617
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Pictou Lighthouse at night?+
Pictou displays the characteristic Iso Red 4s. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Pictou Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Pictou Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Pictou at 0.9 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Merigomish (12.5 NM ESE), Beach Point (22.4 NM NNE), Montague (29.4 NM N), Georgetown (30.8 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Pictou Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Pictou 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 Pictou Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Pictou 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.