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West Point Lighthouse

Fl WR 5s🇺🇸Washington, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About West Point Lighthouse

Also known as: Discovery Park Lighthouse

Constructed in 1881, this lighthouse stands 7 meters tall with a focal height of 8 meters. Its white tower emits an automated white and red light, showing a single white flash every 6 seconds. The light has a geographic range of 16 nautical miles. Located on Seattle's West Point, it juts into Puget Sound, marking the northern boundary of Elliott Bay. The lighthouse is a significant feature within Discovery Park.

Why it matters: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, the West Point Light helps define the entrance to Elliott Bay from Puget Sound.

Background
The West Point Light, also known as the Discovery Park Lighthouse, is an active aid to navigation on Seattle, Washington's West Point, which juts into Puget Sound and marks the northern extent of Elliott Bay. The lighthouse is similar in design to the Point No Point Light and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is a main feature of Seattle's Discovery Park.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 5s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
5s
Raw Code
Al
Focal Height
8m
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1881
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q7986262 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
7m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
Washington
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
47.6620°
Longitude
-122.4356°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify West Point Lighthouse at night?+
West Point displays the characteristic Fl WR 5s — 1 wr flash every 5 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. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does West Point Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
West Point Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Seattle at 3.8 NM to the SE. Other ports served include BAINBRIDGE ISLAND (4.1 NM SW), Port Blakely (4.9 NM SW), Port Madison (5.8 NM WNW), Harbor Island (6.6 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is West Point Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, West Point 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 West Point Lighthouse?+
West Point Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near West Point Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near West Point 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.