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Shela Range Front Lighthouse

Q White🇰🇪Shella ward, KEOperational

Location & Light Range

About Shela Range Front Lighthouse

This 8-meter fiberglass tower, built in 2017, guides vessels into Lamu Harbour. Its cylindrical, hourglass shape is painted with red and white horizontal bands. The light emits a quick white flash. This modern structure replaced a 6-meter concrete obelisk that previously marked the harbor entrance. The site is open to the public, but the tower is closed. Shela Range Front is part of the approach range for Lamu Harbour.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for the safe passage of vessels into Lamu Harbour, serving as a critical approach range light. Its quick-flashing white light guides ships through the specific channel leading to the port, preventing groundings in the shallow and potentially complex entrance.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Q White
Flash Type
Quick
Light Color
White
Raw Code
Q W
Focal Height
9m
Geographic Range
10NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2017

Significant events: replaced a 6 m (20 ft) conical concrete obelisk

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
8m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
red and white horizontal bands
Material
fiberglass

Structure: round hourglass-shaped fiberglass tower colored with red and white horizontal bands

Location

City
Shella ward
Country
🇰🇪Kenya
Region
Lamu
Sea Region
approach range for the Lamu Harbour entrance, located on the beach at the entrance to the harbor, near the Fort at Shela Beach, Kenya
Latitude
-2.2970°
Longitude
40.9155°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Lamu(2.0 km)
Admiralty No.
D6832
NGA No.
31176
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Shela Range Front Lighthouse at night?+
Shela Range Front displays the characteristic Q White. 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 Shela Range Front Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Shela Range Front Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 1 nearby port. The closest is Lamu at 8.5 NM to the NNE. Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Shela Range Front Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Shela 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 Shela Range Front Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Shela 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.