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Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse

Fl Green 4s🇺🇸New York, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse

Also known as: Roosevelt Island Reef (U Thant Island, Belmont Island)

A 13-meter square skeletal tower painted white stands on a 1-story concrete base. This structure is situated on Belmont Island, an artificial islet created from subway tunnel excavation, located in the East River approximately 400 meters downstream from the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. It displays a green flashing light every four seconds from a focal height of 17 meters. The lighthouse has a geographic range of 12.4 nautical miles. This navigational aid is positioned opposite the United Nations headquarters.

Why it matters: The lighthouse warns vessels away from the Roosevelt Island Reef, a submerged hazard in the East River. Its foundation on an artificial islet created from subway tunnel excavation adds a unique historical element to its navigational function.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl G 4s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Location

City
New York
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
New York
Sea Region
Located on an islet about 1300 ft (400 m) downstream from the southern tip of Roosevelt Island, opposite the United Nations, in the East River. The island, known officially as Belmont Island, was created with dirt excavated from a subway tunnel under the river; it was named unofficially for U Thant, the United Nations Secretary General from 1961 to 1971.
Latitude
40.6932°
Longitude
-74.0197°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
square skeletal
Tower Color
white
Material
steel

Structure: A 13m square skeletal tower mounted on a square 1-story white concrete base.

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
New york(1.7 km)
Admiralty No.
J0990
USCG No.
1-27315
ARLHS No.
USA-1229
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse at night?+
Roosevelt Island Reef displays the characteristic Fl Green 4s. 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 Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Jersey City at 1.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include Croxton (2.8 NM NNW), New York (3.1 NM WSW), Hoboken (3.4 NM N), Bayonne (3.7 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Roosevelt Island Reef 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 Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse?+
Roosevelt Island Reef 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 Roosevelt Island Reef Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Roosevelt Island Reef 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.