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Prudence Island Lighthouse

Fl G 6s🇺🇸Rhode Island, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Prudence Island Lighthouse

The Prudence Island Lighthouse, also known locally as the Sandy Point Lighthouse, was built in 1852. This structure stands 8.5 meters tall and emits a green light with a geographic range of 6 nautical miles. The tower itself is painted green, and its focal height matches the tower's height. Its flash characteristic is a single white flash. The lighthouse is currently operational.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Background
The Prudence Island Lighthouse, more commonly known locally as the Sandy Point Lighthouse, is located on Prudence Island, Rhode Island and is the oldest lighthouse tower in the state. Sandy Point is nicknamed Chibacoweda, meaning "little place separated by a passage", because the location is a little more than one mile offshore.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl G 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
8.5m
Light Range
6NM (11.1 km)
Geographic Range
6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1852
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7252958 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m
Tower Color
green

Location

City
Rhode Island
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
41.6059°
Longitude
-71.3035°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Prudence Island Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 8.5 meters and a nominal range of 6 nautical miles (approximately 11.1 km), Prudence Island 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 Prudence Island Lighthouse at night?+
Prudence Island displays the characteristic Fl G 6s — 1 green flash 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Prudence Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Prudence Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is PRUDENCEL FERRY DOCK at 0.7 NM to the N. Other ports served include MELVILLE (1.3 NM SE), TIVERTON (4.5 NM ENE), Davisville (4.8 NM W), Newport (6.5 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Prudence Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Prudence Island 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 Prudence Island Lighthouse?+
Prudence Island Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Prudence Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Prudence Island 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.