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Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse

Fl White 6s🇺🇸USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse

This octagonal skeletal tower, built of steel and standing 9 meters tall, was first lit in 1991. Its legs are painted white, with the top section and lantern painted black. It is situated about 500 meters offshore of Silver Beach, southwest of Jamesville, Virginia, marking a southbound range. The lighthouse emits a white light with a characteristic of one flash every six seconds. The focal height of the light is 67 meters, and it has a geographic range of 21 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, but the tower itself is closed.

Why it matters: Its exceptional height, making it the second tallest aid to navigation in the United States, underscores its engineering significance. It ensures safe passage by providing a reliable range light for southbound maritime traffic through the Rappahannock Shoal Channel.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 6s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
6s
Raw Code
Fl W 6s
Focal Height
67m
Geographic Range
21NM

Construction & History

Year Built
2016
First Lit
1991

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white and top section and lantern painted black
Material
steel

Structure: octagonal skeletal tower, legs painted white and top section and lantern painted black

Location

Country
🇺🇸United States
Region
Virginia
Sea Region
about 0.3 mi (500 m) offshore of Silver Beach, southwest of Jamesville. This is a southbound range.
Latitude
37.4916°
Longitude
-75.9652°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Cape Charles(13.9 km)
Admiralty No.
J1702.91
USCG No.
2-7295
ARLHS No.
USA-1060
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse at night?+
Virginia Watermen's Memorial displays the characteristic Fl White 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 color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is KINGS CREEK at 12.9 NM to the S. Other ports served include Cape Charles (13.9 NM S), MATHEWS (16.6 NM W), WINDMILL POINT (17.2 NM WNW), New Point (17.4 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Virginia Watermen's Memorial 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 Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse?+
Virginia Watermen's Memorial 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 Virginia Watermen's Memorial Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Virginia Watermen's Memorial 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.