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Purkholmen Lighthouse

Oc (3) White/Red/Green 10s🇳🇴Nærøysund, NOOperational

Location & Light Range

About Purkholmen Lighthouse

The Purkholmen lighthouse is an 8.5-meter structure located on an island at the entrance to Nordøyan harbor in Nærøysund, Norway. It consists of a lantern on a platform supported by four straight piles, painted white with a red roof. The light emits three white, red, or green flashes every 10 seconds. Its geographic range is 9.3 nautical miles. Visitors can access the site, but the tower remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse provides critical directional guidance for vessels entering Nordøyan harbor, using its sector light system to mark the channel safely.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc (3) White/Red/Green 10s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Oc(3) W R G 10s
Focal Height
7m
Geographic Range
9.3NM

Location

City
Nærøysund
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Trøndelag
Sea Region
Island at the entrance to Nordøyan harbor
Latitude
64.8059°
Longitude
10.5464°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Rorvik(17.7 km)
Admiralty No.
L1874
NGA No.
8916

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with a red roof

Structure: An 8.5m structure consisting of a lantern on a platform supported by four straight piles, painted white with a red roof.

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 Purkholmen Lighthouse at night?+
Purkholmen displays the characteristic Oc (3) White/Red/Green 10s — 3 white/red/green flashes every 10 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 Purkholmen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Purkholmen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Utvorda at 16.1 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Abelvær (16.8 NM ESE), Rørvik (18.1 NM E), Ottersøya (19.2 NM E), Ottersøy (19.2 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Purkholmen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Purkholmen 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 Purkholmen Lighthouse?+
Purkholmen 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 Purkholmen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Purkholmen 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.