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Terningen Lighthouse

Iso White/Red/Green 6s🇳🇴Åfjord, NOOperational

Location & Light Range

About Terningen Lighthouse

The Terningen lighthouse is situated on the western tip of a small island at the southern entrance to the Bessakersund. This cylindrical stone tower supports a 4.5-meter lantern, painted white with a red roof. Its light emits white, red, and green signals on a 6-second cycle, offering directional guidance. The geographic range of the light is 9.5 nautical miles. While the site is open to the public, the tower itself remains closed. The nearest port is Roan, located 2.8 kilometers away.

Why it matters: The lighthouse provides essential directional guidance with its sector light for vessels entering or exiting the Bessakersund, helping them navigate the hazards near the western tip of Terningen island.

Background
Terningen Lighthouse is a lighthouse in Hitra Municipality in Trøndelag county, Norway. The lighthouse is located in the Trondheimsleia near the mouth of the Hemnfjorden, just west of the island of Hemnskjela, and about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest of the village of Sandstad. The light marks one of the main channels that leads to the Trondheimsfjorden.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Iso White/Red/Green 6s
Flash Type
Isophase
Light Color
White/Red/Green
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Iso WRG 6s
Focal Height
7.5m
Light Range
13NM (24.1 km)
Geographic Range
9.5NM

Location

City
Åfjord
Country
🇳🇴Norway
Region
Trøndelag
Sea Region
western tip of Terningen, an island on the south side of the entrance to the Bessakersund
Latitude
64.2231°
Longitude
10.2367°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Roan(2.8 km)
Admiralty No.
L1686
NGA No.
8444
ARLHS No.
NOR247
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q3429636 →

Tower & Structure

Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
white with a red roof
Material
stone

Structure: A 4.5 m lantern, painted white with a red roof, is mounted on a stone base.

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How far offshore can Terningen Lighthouse be seen?+
With a focal height of 7.5 meters and a nominal range of 13 nautical miles (approximately 24.1 km), Terningen is visible from well offshore under standard atmospheric conditions. Actual visibility depends on observer height, weather, and sea state. This range makes it a significant coastal navigation aid for vessels transiting the area.
How do mariners identify Terningen Lighthouse at night?+
Terningen displays the characteristic Iso White/Red/Green 6s. 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 Terningen Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Terningen Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Brandsfjord at 3.8 NM to the SE. Other ports served include Sandviksberget (7.9 NM NE), Sandvika (8.1 NM NE), Vingsand (9.7 NM NE), Stokksund (12.4 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Terningen Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Terningen 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 Terningen Lighthouse?+
Terningen 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 Terningen Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Terningen 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.