lighthouse sequences

[Jo Zebedee]

Hi, I sort of know that each lighthouse has its own sequence of lights so that sailors know which one they are approaching. I have tried googling lighthouse sequences, tried googling the specific lighthouse - it is the east lighthouse on Rathlin Island, also called Attacarry Point - but am getting nothing.

Any sailors who might know where such data is found? What to search under?

 

[Glitch]

The following link might be what you're after
http://www.commissionersofirishlights.com/cil/aids-to-navigation.aspx

 

[Jo Zebedee]

The following link might be what you're after
http://www.commissionersofirishlights.com/cil/aids-to-navigation.aspx

Now, how did you do that? I need to up my google searching skills. So, consulting an oracle on these matters apparently F1(4) W 20s/24 hours means it flashes 4 times every 20 seconds. Perfect, many thanks. Jo.

 

[Abernovo]

I must admit, I didn't even know lighthouses had unique signal patterns, altohugh it makes sense for aiding navigation.

Just in case, for you or anyone else, I found these when looking up explanations of the light characteristics.

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Lighthouses/light_patterns

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Proposed_features/marine-tagging#visible_lights

 

[Glitch]

Now, how did you do that?

Finding things is one of my many talents

I need to up my google searching skills. So, consulting an oracle on these matters apparently

I can't talk to that as I don't use said search engine.

 

[nightdreamer]

Now, how did you do that? I need to up my google searching skills.

Don't feel bad, some people are just Google wizards. I once searched for a song for hours ("Every Other Time," by LFO), and when I mentioned it to the guy in the next cube he had it less than five minutes. Magic.

 

[Montero]

The fog horns have a pattern too. And they are well loud. If you are near enough, a window rattling deep hoot.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

On new years eve we go out at midnight and can hear them blaring from the lough.

 

[Dave]

I was going to ask if there was such a map for the UK too, but I found it myself here:
http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/lighthouse_list/index.html

I knew there were sequences, but not what they were, and often when I'm by the coast in the evening I would like to know which one I can see.

 

[Glitch]

I originally foung the northern lighthouse board.
http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Main/

 

[billhafan]

Another good reference work for all things to do with sailing etc. is Reeds Nautical Almanac - it covers the whole British isles, Northern Atlantic, and the entire European coastline from Denmark down to Gibraltar, Northern Morocco and the Azores. The Almanac is considered as a bible to sailors and has everything to do with rules of the road, to light sequences on entries to harbours etc. very comprehensive and maybe worth a look for background and terminology.

Also for anyone interested in nautical matters, Admiralty charts which cover the world, also have footnotes on each chart from the original cartographers and explorers, going back hundreds of years ... really fascinating and enlightening! I've spent many hours at a chart table reading these entries.