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Swallowtail Lighthouse

Occ W 6s🇺🇸Southern New Brunswick, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Swallowtail Lighthouse

First lit in 1859, the Swallowtail Lighthouse stands 16 meters tall on Grand Manan Island. Its white tower features a focal height of 37 meters, emitting an occulting white light with a 6-second cycle. The light has a geographic range of 12 nautical miles. Operational since its construction, the lighthouse is situated in Southern New Brunswick, Canada.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is a recognized federal heritage building of Canada and was the first lighthouse built on Grand Manan Island.

Background
The Swallowtail Lighthouse is a Canadian lighthouse located on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy. It was the first lighthouse to be built on the island. It was first lit on 7 July 1860 and was automated and de-staffed in 1986.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ W 6s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Oc.W. period 6s
Focal Height
37m
Geographic Range
12NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1859
Heritage Status
recognized federal heritage building of Canada

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
H4168
NGA No.
H 4168
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q28375027 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
16.2m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Southern New Brunswick
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
44.7642°
Longitude
-66.7328°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Swallowtail Lighthouse at night?+
Swallowtail displays the characteristic Occ W 6s — 1 white flash every 6 seconds. 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.
Which ports and harbors does Swallowtail Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Swallowtail Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Grand Manan at 4.8 NM to the SW. Other ports served include Lubec (11.8 NM WNW), Eastport (13.7 NM NW), Deer Island (15.7 NM NW), Blacks Harbour (17.7 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Swallowtail Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Swallowtail 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 Swallowtail Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Swallowtail 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.