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Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl Red 2.4s🇯🇵Karatsu, JPOperational

Location & Light Range

About Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse

A concrete post structure, 9.5 meters tall, marked the eastern entrance to Yobuko harbor. Built in 1974, it stood at the end of the north breakwater, east of Kabe Shima, guiding vessels with a red light. This light flashed, although the exact characteristic is not specified in the source narrative. The structure, attached to a one-story concrete building, had a focal height of 21 meters and a geographic range of 13 nautical miles. It served for nearly fifty years before its operational status concluded around 2021. The light was subsequently removed from the Admiralty list in May 2021 and the original structure is no longer present.

Why it matters: The light served as a key marker for local fishing vessels and other small craft entering Yobuko harbor, a notable regional fishing port.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 2.4s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
2.4s
Raw Code
Fl.W
Focal Height
21m
Geographic Range
13NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1974

Significant events: Inactive since 2021, dropped from Admiralty list in May 2021, removed

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Yobuko(0.6 km)
Admiralty No.
M5266.35
NGA No.
12212
USCG No.
JCG-5888

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
9.5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
red
Material
concrete

Structure: concrete post attached to a 1-story concrete equipment building

Location

City
Karatsu
Country
🇯🇵Japan
Region
Saga Prefecture
Sea Region
Yobuko harbor, marking the entrance at the end of the north breakwater, east of Kabe Shima
Latitude
33.5526°
Longitude
129.8902°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl Red 2.4s. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Yobuko at 0.6 NM to the SSE. Other ports served include Tobo (4.7 NM SSE), Karatsu (5.7 NM SE), Fukushima, Nagasaki (13 NM SSW), Kafuri (13.4 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater 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 Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse is located within the Japan / Korea shipping lane — a busy shipping corridor linking the major ports of Japan and South Korea. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Yobuko Kō East Entrance North Breakwater 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.