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San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse

Q Red🇺🇸Río Piedras, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse

The San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front light is a 14-meter tall, square skeletal tower constructed of steel. It stands on a platform supported by piles, with the light positioned 14.5 meters above sea level. This active aid emits a quick-flashing red light, identified by its Q R characteristic. The structure is located in Río Piedras, marking a range line for safe navigation into San Juan harbor, adjacent to Porto Nuevo. While the site is accessible, the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This range front light is indispensable for safe navigation into San Juan harbor, a critical port for both commercial shipping and cruise lines in the Caribbean. Its quick-flashing red light, visible only along the precise range line, ensures that large vessels can accurately align themselves to avoid potential hazards and navigate the busy channel effectively.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q Red
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
Red
Raw Code
Q R
Focal Height
14.5m
Geographic Range
11.7NM

Location

City
Río Piedras
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Puerto Rico
Sea Region
San Juan harbor, Puerto Rico, marking a range line for safe navigation into the port.
Latitude
18.4411°
Longitude
-66.0864°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Porto Nuevo(0.5 km)
Admiralty No.
J5506

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Material
steel

Structure: A 14m square skeletal tower on a platform supported by piles.

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 San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front displays the characteristic Q Red. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porto Nuevo at 0.5 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include San Juan (1.5 NM WNW), NAGUABO (26 NM SE), FAJARDO (26.7 NM ESE), PALMAS DEL MAR (27.3 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front 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.
How can I track vessels near San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near San Juan Puerto Nuevo Range Front 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.