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Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse

Fl Green 3s🇵🇹São Mateus, PTOperational

Location & Light Range

About Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse

This cylindrical concrete tower, standing 4 meters tall, is painted with green and white horizontal bands. Its focal plane reaches 15 meters above sea level, and it emits a green light. The characteristic is a single green flash every 3 seconds, with a geographic range of 11.9 nautical miles. It is located on the molehead at Vila do Praia, also known as Ponta da Rochela, near São Mateus. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding all vessels safely into Vila do Praia harbor. Its position on the molehead clearly marks the navigable channel, preventing groundings on the breakwater.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Green 3s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Green
Interval
3s
Raw Code
Fl G 3s
Focal Height
15m
Geographic Range
11.9NM

Location

City
São Mateus
Country
🇵🇹Portugal
Sea Region
Located on the molehead of Vila do Praia, also known as Ponta da Rochela, in Portugal.
Latitude
39.0526°
Longitude
-27.9660°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Praia da Graciosa(0.1 km)
Admiralty No.
D2672.5
NGA No.
23490

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
with green and white horizontal bands
Material
concrete

Structure: round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with green and white horizontal bands

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 Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse at night?+
Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) displays the characteristic Fl Green 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 green color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Praia da Graciosa at 0.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Santa Cruz da Graciosa (2.6 NM NW), Velas (25.3 NM SSW), Calheta, Island São Jorge (27.2 NM S), Topo (31.4 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) 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 Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Vila do Praia Molehead (Ponta da Rochela) 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.