Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Romer Shoal Lighthouse

Fl (2) W 15s🇺🇸New Jersey, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Romer Shoal Lighthouse

Constructed of iron, this lighthouse stands 16 meters tall, with its focal plane at 16.5 meters. The tower displays a white upper half and a red lower half. It was built and first lit in 1838, marking the north edge of the Swash Channel in Lower New York Bay. Situated approximately 1.4 kilometers south of Ambrose Channel, it lies about 4.6 kilometers north of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. This structure serves as a navigational aid in the entrance to New York Harbor.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, this lighthouse is recognized for its architectural and engineering significance, as well as its contribution to transportation and maritime history.

Background
Romer Shoal Light is a sparkplug lighthouse in Lower New York Bay, on the north edge of the Swash Channel, about 3⁄4 nautical mile (1.4 km; 0.86 mi) south of Ambrose Channel and 2+1⁄2 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) north of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in the entrance to New York Harbor. It is in New Jersey, very close to the border with New York. Named as Romer Shoal Light Station, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 2007, for its significance in architecture, engineering, transportation, and maritime history.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl (2) W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
2 flashes
Interval
15s
Focal Height
16.5m

Construction & History

Year Built
1838
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
J1090
USCG No.
1-35070
ARLHS No.
USA-701
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7363153 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16m
Tower Color
white, upper half red
Material
iron

Location

City
New Jersey
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
40.5167°
Longitude
-74.0167°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Romer Shoal Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near US, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Romer Shoal Lighthouse at night?+
Romer Shoal displays the characteristic Fl (2) W 15s — 2 white flashes every 15 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.
Which ports and harbors does Romer Shoal Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Romer Shoal Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is FORT HANCOCK at 3 NM to the S. Other ports served include Fort hancock (3.1 NM S), MIRAMAR (5.4 NM NE), Brooklyn (5.8 NM NE), Staten Island (5.8 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Romer Shoal Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Romer Shoal 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 Romer Shoal Lighthouse?+
Romer Shoal 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 Romer Shoal Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Romer Shoal 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.