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Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse

Oc Green 4s🇺🇸Philadelphia, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse

This steel skeletal tower stands 18 meters tall on the east side of the Schuylkill River, approximately 600 meters from its mouth. Established in 1875, the rear range light helps guide vessels by aligning with a front light, defining the safe channel. Its green light flashes once every 4 seconds, becoming visible only when a vessel is on the correct bearing. The structure has a focal height of 19.5 meters and a geographic range of 13 nautical miles. It is situated near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Why it matters: This range light is indispensable for safe navigation into the Schuylkill River, particularly for vessels accessing port facilities upstream. Its precise green light, visible only on the range line, prevents groundings and collisions in a busy river entrance.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Green 4s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Green
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc G 4s
Focal Height
19.5m
Geographic Range
13NM

Construction & History

First Lit
1875

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Port Richmond(2.8 km)
Admiralty No.
J1322.1
ARLHS No.
USA-1207

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
18m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Material
steel

Structure: A 18m square cylindrical steel skeletal tower.

Location

City
Philadelphia
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Pennsylvania
Sea Region
East side of the Schuylkill River, approximately 0.4 miles (600 meters) from its mouth, near the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Latitude
39.8906°
Longitude
-75.1926°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse at night?+
Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear displays the characteristic Oc 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 Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Philadelphia at 1.5 NM to the NE. Other ports served include Gloucester City (3.1 NM ENE), WILLIAM HARGROVE (3.5 NM ESE), PAULSBORO (3.5 NM SW), Camden (3.9 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear 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 Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse?+
Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear 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 Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Schuylkill River Entrance Range Rear 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.