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Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse

Fl White 5s🇪🇬Marsa Matruh, EGOperational

Location & Light Range

About Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse

Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse is a 40-meter-tall square skeletal steel tower. It is equipped with a lantern and gallery, and displays a large white rectangular slatted daymark. The structure is painted white with a red band. Its focal height reaches 48 meters. The light produces a white flash every five seconds, with a geographic range of 18.4 nautical miles. The lighthouse is located on elevated ground near Ra's Alam el-Rum, approximately 15 kilometers east of Mersa Matruh, Egypt. The nearest port is Matruh, 5.7 kilometers away. The site is accessible to the public, though the tower is not.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the Ra's Alam el-Rum cape, offering a navigation aid for vessels along Egypt's northern Mediterranean coast. It also functions as a visual reference point during daylight hours.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl W 5s
Focal Height
48m
Geographic Range
18.4NM

Location

City
Marsa Matruh
Country
🇪🇬Egypt
Region
Matruh
Sea Region
Located on heights above a prominent cape about 15 km east of Mersa Matruh, Egypt.
Latitude
31.3605°
Longitude
27.3422°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Matruh(5.7 km)
Admiralty No.
N6194
NGA No.
21420
ARLHS No.
EGY-044

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
40m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white with a red band
Material
steel

Structure: square skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and a large white rectangular slatted daymark

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 Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse at night?+
Ra's Alam el-Rum displays the characteristic Fl White 5s. 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 Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 2 nearby ports. The closest is Matruh at 5.7 NM to the W. Other ports served include MERSA MARTU (6.3 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Ra's Alam el-Rum 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 Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse?+
Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse is located within the Mediterranean East-West corridor — a major trade route spanning the Mediterranean from Gibraltar to the Suez Canal. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Ra's Alam el-Rum Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Ra's Alam el-Rum 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.