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Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse

F Green 3s🇬🇧GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse

This hexagonal cast iron tower, standing 6.5 meters tall, was built and first lit in 1862. It is painted orange-red and topped with a lantern, reaching a focal height of 9 meters above sea level. The lighthouse emits a single green flash on a regular characteristic. Situated at the end of the west breakwater in Watchet harbor, it provides a geographic range of 10 nautical miles. Princess Anne attended a ceremony in September 2012 to mark the lighthouse's 150th anniversary. More recently, in early 2022, concerns about its condition arose after storm damage.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is essential for guiding vessels into Watchet Harbour and preventing groundings on nearby coastal features.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
F Green 3s
Flash Type
Fixed
Light Color
Green
Interval
3s
Raw Code
F G
Focal Height
9m
Geographic Range
10NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1862

Significant events: Princess Anne attended ceremonies in September 2012 marking the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse, In early 2022 there was concern about deterioration of the lighthouse; a piece of the roof was blown off and the end of the pier was closed

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Watchet(0.0 km)
Admiralty No.
A5584
NGA No.
6196
ARLHS No.
ENG-174

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
6.5m
Tower Shape
hexagonal
Tower Color
orange red
Material
cast iron

Structure: hexagonal cast iron tower with lantern

Location

Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
England
Sea Region
at the end of the breakwater on the west side of the harbor at Watchet
Latitude
51.1840°
Longitude
-3.3285°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Western Somerset Lighthouses displays the characteristic F 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 Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Watchet at 0.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Porlock (3.5 NM WNW), Dunster (4.1 NM WSW), Minehead (5.3 NM W), Luxborough (6.6 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Western Somerset Lighthouses 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 Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Western Somerset Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Western Somerset Lighthouses 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.