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Store Flatholmen Lighthouse

Fl White/Red/Green 5s🇳🇴Ørland, NOOperational

Location & Light Range

About Store Flatholmen Lighthouse

Also known as: Store Flatholmen (Melstein)

A skeletal steel tower stands 6.5 meters tall on a small island marking the western end of the Melstein reef. The lighthouse, located near Ørland in Trøndelag, features a lantern mounted on a platform supported by tripod piles, with a focal height of 14 meters. Its white tower is topped with a red roof. The light emits a white, red, or green signal, flashing once every 5 seconds. This aid has a geographic range of 11.6 nautical miles. The island site is accessible to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: The lighthouse marks the western extremity of the Melstein reef, a significant hazard to vessels navigating this segment of the Norwegian coast.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White/Red/Green 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Fl 5s
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Location

City
Ørland
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Trøndelag
Sea Region
Small island at the western end of the Melstein reef, a cluster of rocks and skerries, about 16 km north northwest of Været.
Latitude
63.9590°
Longitude
9.5429°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Valsneset(8.9 km)
Admiralty No.
L1576
NGA No.
8232

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6.5m
Tower Shape
skeletal
Tower Color
white with a red roof
Material
steel

Structure: lantern mounted on a platform supported by tripod 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 Store Flatholmen Lighthouse at night?+
Store Flatholmen displays the characteristic Fl White/Red/Green 5s. 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/red/green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Store Flatholmen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Store Flatholmen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Vallersund at 8.5 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Valsneset (8.8 NM SSE), Lysøysund (9.6 NM ESE), Froan (12.2 NM W), Bjugn (13 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Store Flatholmen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Store Flatholmen 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 Store Flatholmen Lighthouse?+
Store Flatholmen Lighthouse is located within the Baltic Sea trade route — a vital shipping corridor for trade between Scandinavian, German, Polish, and Baltic state ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Store Flatholmen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Store Flatholmen 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.