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Rankki Lighthouse

Fl (3) White/Red/Green 10s🇫🇮Kotka, FIOperational

Location & Light Range

About Rankki Lighthouse

This concrete tower, standing 8 meters tall, is painted black and topped with a lantern and gallery. It was established in 1884 and guides vessels eastbound or westbound parallel to the coast near Kotka. The light emits three flashes, alternating white, red, and green, every 10 seconds. Its focal height reaches 11 meters above sea level, with a geographic range of 10.7 nautical miles. The lighthouse is situated on a skerry off the southeastern tip of Rankki, approximately 3 km west of Kirkonmaa island and 8 km southeast of Kotka.

Why it matters: The lighthouse's unique directional light system, displaying white, red, or green flashes, precisely delineates safe channels, preventing groundings on the numerous skerries and shoals in this complex archipelago.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (3) White/Red/Green 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Flash Count
3 flashes
Interval
10s
Raw Code
Fl(3) WRG 10s
Focal Height
11m
Light Range
6.5NM (12.0 km)
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Construction & History

Significant events: Station established 1884

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kotka(4.4 km)
Admiralty No.
C5386
NGA No.
13564
ARLHS No.
FIN127
Wikidata
Q62083684 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
black
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted black

Location

City
Kotka
Country
🇫🇮Finland
Region
Kymenlaakso
Sea Region
Located on a skerry off the southeastern tip of Rankki, about 3 km west of the island of Kirkonmaa and 8 km southeast of Kotka, guiding vessels eastbound or westbound parallel to the coast near Kotka.
Latitude
60.3652°
Longitude
26.9682°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Rankki Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 11 meters and a nominal range of 6.5 nautical miles (approximately 12.0 km), Rankki 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 Rankki Lighthouse at night?+
Rankki displays the characteristic Fl (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 Rankki Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Rankki Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Kotka at 6.6 NM to the N. Other ports served include Sunila (7.1 NM N), Siltakylä (Broby) (9.1 NM NW), Lakulahti (10.8 NM NNE), Summa (11 NM NNE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Rankki Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Rankki 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 Rankki Lighthouse?+
Rankki 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 Rankki Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Rankki 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.