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Porto Novo Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇮🇳INOperational

Location & Light Range

About Porto Novo Lighthouse

Also known as: Porto Novo (Parangipettai)

This concrete lighthouse, built in 1981, stands 39 meters tall with a focal height of 36 meters. Its cylindrical tower is painted with horizontal red and white bands and features a lantern with a double gallery. The light emits a white flash every 15 seconds, visible for 16.4 nautical miles. Located about 8 km northeast of Bhuvanagiri, it is situated near Porto Novo (Parangipettai). The structure was damaged by the tsunami on December 26, 2004, an event that deeply affected the lighthouse keeper's family.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guides fishing vessels and serves as a recognizable landmark along the Tamil Nadu coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
36m
Geographic Range
16.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1981

Significant events: hit by tsunami of 26 December 2004, keeper lost father and son to tsunami, head keeper's three daughters washed away but rescued

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cuddalore(12.8 km)
Admiralty No.
F0919
NGA No.
27132
ARLHS No.
IND-053

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
39m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with horizontal red and white bands
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, painted with horizontal red and white bands

Location

Country
🇮🇳India
Region
Tamil Nadu
Sea Region
about 8 km northeast of Bhuvanagiri, near Porto Novo (Parangipettai), a historic European base and minor fishing village
Latitude
11.5042°
Longitude
79.7705°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Porto Novo Lighthouse at night?+
Porto Novo displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. 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 color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Porto Novo Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Porto Novo Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 4 nearby ports. The closest is Cuddalore at 8.2 NM to the N. Other ports served include Pondicherry (24.9 NM N), Karaikal (40.6 NM S), Nagappattinam (45 NM S). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Porto Novo Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Porto Novo 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 Porto Novo Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Porto Novo 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.