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Shoal Island Lighthouse

Fl White 4s🇨🇦St. Joseph Township, CAOperational

Location & Light Range

About Shoal Island Lighthouse

A 10.5-meter cylindrical wood tower with red trim, built in 1909, stands on a small island marking the northwestern corner of St. Joseph Island. This structure, which replaced one that burned that same year, features a square lantern room and gallery atop a two-story keeper's house. It emits a white flash every four seconds, with its light reaching 11 meters above the water. The lighthouse is situated in a narrow passage, approximately 16.6 kilometers from Sault-Sainte-Marie. Despite being declared surplus by the Coast Guard in 2008, negotiations for its ownership and preservation are ongoing.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks a narrow passage at the northwestern corner of St. Joseph Island, a key waterway for local traffic.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Fl W 4s
Focal Height
11m
Geographic Range
10.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1909

Significant events: original lighthouse burned in 1909, Coast Guard declared building surplus in 2008, negotiations continuing for ownership

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Sault-Sainte-Marie(16.6 km)
ARLHS No.
CAN-588

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
10.5m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with red trim
Material
wood

Structure: square cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery centered on the roof of 2-story wood keeper's house

Location

City
St. Joseph Township
Country
🇨🇦Canada
Region
Ontario
Sea Region
marks a narrow passage at the northwestern corner of St. Joseph Island, located on a small island just off the northwest coast of St. Joseph Island
Latitude
46.3135°
Longitude
-84.0757°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Shoal Island Lighthouse at night?+
Shoal Island displays the characteristic Fl White 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 white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Shoal Island Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Shoal Island Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Sault-Sainte-Marie at 15.9 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Sault Sainte Marie (16 NM NW), De Tour Village (20.6 NM SSE), DRUMMOND ISLAND (21.2 NM SSE), THESSALON MUNICIPAL (22 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Shoal Island Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Shoal Island 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 Shoal Island Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Shoal Island 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.