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Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse

F red 3s🇯🇵Kitakyushu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse

Also known as: Sunatu

The Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear light, built in 2015, is a 13-meter cylindrical concrete tower located in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. It serves as the rear marker for the Sunatsu Fairway, working in conjunction with a front range light to guide vessels. The structure features a gallery and a large, arrow-shaped daymark containing a panel of vertical neon tubes that emit a red light. This rear range light has a focal height of 14 meters and a geographic range of 11.6 nautical miles. It is situated 0.8 kilometers from the port of Kokura.

Why it matters: This range light is indispensable for safe navigation through the Sunatsu Fairway, providing precise alignment for vessels entering or departing the port.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F red 3s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
red
Interval
3s
Raw Code
F.R. 46
Focal Height
14m
Geographic Range
11.6NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2015

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Kokura(0.8 km)
Admiralty No.
M5344.1
NGA No.
9852

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
13m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white
Material
concrete

Structure: round concrete tower with gallery; the light is shown as a panel of vertical neon tubes within a large arrow-shaped daymark

Location

City
Kitakyushu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Fukuoka Prefecture
Sea Region
Sunatsu Fairway in Japan, serving as a rear range light.
Latitude
33.8878°
Longitude
130.8878°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse at night?+
Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear displays the characteristic F red 3s. 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 Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Oku at 0.4 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Kanmon (1.6 NM ENE), Shimonoseki (3.6 NM NE), Tobata/Kitakyushu (3.6 NM WNW), Kurosaki (3.8 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Sunatsu Fairway 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 Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse?+
Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse is located within the Japan / Korea shipping lane — a busy shipping corridor linking the major ports of Japan and South Korea. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Sunatsu Fairway Range Rear Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Sunatsu Fairway 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.