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Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse

Oc Red 6s🇺🇸Kittery, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse

The Portsmouth Channel Range Front light is a 15-meter tall cylindrical skeletal tower painted red with a white vertical stripe. It carries a rectangular daymark with the same coloring. The structure stands 19 meters above the water, providing a geographic range of 12.9 nautical miles. Its light emits a fixed red signal that is occulting, meaning it briefly disappears, on a 6-second cycle. The tower is located on Kittery Point, Maine, south of ME 103 and east of Fort McClary State Park. The site is open to visitors, but the tower is closed.

Why it matters: This range light provides essential alignment for vessels entering the Piscataqua River and navigating towards the harbors of Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Red 6s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Red
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc R 6s
Focal Height
19m
Geographic Range
12.9NM

Location

City
Kittery
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Maine
Sea Region
Marks the entrance range for the Piscataqua River and the harbors of Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, situated on the south side of ME 103 at Kittery Point, just east of Fort McClary State Park.
Latitude
43.0827°
Longitude
-70.7075°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Portsmouth(1.3 km)
Admiralty No.
J0233
USCG No.
1-8305

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
15m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red with a white vertical stripe

Structure: square cylindrical skeletal tower carrying a rectangular daymark colored red with a white vertical stripe

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
Portsmouth Channel Range Front displays the characteristic Oc Red 6s. 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 Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Portsmouth at 0.7 NM to the SW. Other ports served include NEW CASTLE (1.3 NM WSW), Kittery (1.4 NM W), Portsmouth (2.3 NM W), YORK MARINE SERVICE (3.8 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Portsmouth Channel Range Front 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 Portsmouth Channel Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Portsmouth Channel Range Front 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.