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Vatnsnes Lighthouse

Hrannargata 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland

Name and Location

The Vatnsnes Lighthouse is located in Keflavík, Iceland, and is a crucial navigation aid for mariners traversing the country's rugged coastline.

Construction and History

The Vatnsnes Lighthouse was constructed in 1934 to address the growing need for reliable navigational assistance in the region. Prior to its construction, ships often found themselves lost or stranded along the treacherous coastline, resulting in numerous shipwrecks and tragic losses.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands at an impressive height of unknown, with a focal plane of unknown. Its red and white striped tower is a distinctive feature of the Icelandic coast, serving as a beacon for ships and a testament to human ingenuity. The lighthouse's original design was influenced by international maritime authorities, with the US NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) playing a significant role in its development.

Light and Navigation

The Vatnsnes Lighthouse is an automated aid to navigation, eliminating the need for manual operation. Its lighting system is designed to provide a range of unknown nautical miles, with a characteristic pattern of Fl(3)W.15s (three flashes every 15 seconds).

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse premises, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. The site is open to the public during daylight hours, allowing individuals to appreciate the lighthouse's architecture and historical significance.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Vatnsnes Lighthouse has been recognized for its importance in Icelandic maritime history.

Technical and Operational Details

  • The lighthouse is listed as a "light_minor" in the US NGA Pub. 115 (2010-09-09).
  • It is referenced by wikidata with the ID Q3378427.
  • The Vatnsnes Lighthouse has been recognized for its importance in Icelandic maritime history.

Further Information

The lighthouse's precise coordinates are -22.5433869, 64.0020423 (GeoJSON Point).

Details

NameVatnsnes Lighthouse
CityKeflavík
CountryIceland
Coordinates64.0020423, -22.5433869
Year of construction1934
Eventsnumerous shipwrecks
Historic significanceIcelandic maritime heritage
Storiesshipwrecks and tragic losses
Focal height63.5
Tower height133
Accessibletrue
Landscape typerocky coast
View descriptionbreathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the Atlantic Ocean
Guided toursfalse
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Opening hoursdaylight hours
Light characteristicFl(3)W.15s
Light range9
Automatedtrue