Name and Location

The Ventspils Range Rear Light, officially listed as "Vkhodoy Range, rear," is a navigational aid located in Ventspils, Latvia. Its address is Pētera iela 21B, Ventspils, LV-3601, Latvia. The coordinates are 57°23′16.6″ N, 21°33′4.9″ E.

Construction and History

The exact date of construction for the Ventspils Range Rear Light is not documented in public sources, but it is believed to have been built during the late-Soviet period (1970s-1980s) when the modern Ventspils port and fairway were developed. There is no formal heritage designation recorded.

Architecture and Materials

The structure type is a metal beacon with a slender tower or post shape, made of steel/metal materials. The topmark features rectangular boards with vertical panels in red-white-red colors. The color scheme is an unpainted or light-grey metallic finish.

Light and Navigation

The Ventspils Range Rear Light serves as a rear range light, paired with a lower-height front range light to guide vessels into the port of Ventspils. Its focal plane height above mean sea level is 45 meters. The light characteristic is Isophase Red, period 3 seconds (Iso R 3s), and the nominal range is 16 nautical miles.

Accessibility and Visiting

The rear range light is a fenced installation, and general public entry is not possible. Visitors can view the structure from the southern end of Pētera iela or from the harbour promenade. The nearest parking is available in town centre parking on Katoļu iela, then a 200-meter walk east along Pētera iela.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the base of the rear range light, visitors enjoy a view over Ventspils harbour basin, the busy container terminals, and, on clear days, the open waters of the Gulf of Riga to the north. Together with its paired front light, the rear beacon forms a precise transit line aligned with the dredged channel.

Technical and Operational Details

The managing authority is Latvijas Jūras administrācija (Latvian Maritime Administration), which operates the structure as an active navigational aid. The light is fully automated and monitored remotely. There are no installed AIS or radar systems on the beacon itself, but harbor surveillance radars are located nearby.

Further Information

• For further information, refer to the NGA List of Lights, Pub. 116 (2021), Light C3450.10;
• OpenStreetMap entry https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/94477028;
• German-language overview "Leuchttürme Ventspils" on de.wikipedia.org;
• and Latvijas Jūras administrācija (official site).