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Upper New York Bay Lighthouse

Fl Green 6s🇺🇸Bayonne, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Upper New York Bay Lighthouse

Established in 1839, Robbins Reef Light is a 14-meter cast iron sparkplug tower built in 1883. It stands in Upper New York Bay, between Manhattan and Staten Island, near Bayonne, New Jersey. This location places it within the busy New York Harbor, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The light emits a green flash every six seconds. Its structure consists of a cast iron tower topped with a lantern.

Why it matters: The light warns mariners of the submerged Robbins Reef and guides vessels navigating Upper New York Bay and the Hudson River. Its cast iron sparkplug design is a noteworthy architectural feature.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl G 6s
Focal Height
17m
Geographic Range
12.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1883
First Lit
1839

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
New york(1.3 km)
ARLHS No.
USA-695

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Shape
sparkplug
Material
cast iron

Structure: A 14m cast iron sparkplug tower with lantern.

Location

City
Bayonne
Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
New Jersey
Sea Region
Robbins Reef Light is a New Jersey lighthouse located in Upper New York Bay, which is part of New York Harbor at the mouth of the Hudson River. It sits between Manhattan and Staten Island, bounded by Brooklyn to the east and Jersey City and Bayonne, New Jersey, to the west.
Latitude
40.6573°
Longitude
-74.0654°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Upper New York Bay Lighthouse at night?+
Upper New York Bay displays the characteristic Fl 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Upper New York Bay Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Upper New York Bay Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is New York at 1.4 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Bayonne (2.2 NM NW), Port Newark (2.8 NM NW), Jersey City (3.8 NM NNE), Croxton (4.6 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Upper New York Bay Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Upper New York Bay 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 Upper New York Bay Lighthouse?+
Upper New York Bay Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Upper New York Bay Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Upper New York Bay 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.