Name and Location

Hải đăng Đá Lát (Ladd Reef Lighthouse) is located in the Spratly Islands, which are situated in the South China Sea, approximately equidistant from Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The lighthouse's coordinates are [8.6661922° N, 111.6642384° E].

Construction and History

Hải đăng Đá Lát is a metal lighthouse built with a tower shape. Its official name is Ladd Reef, and it serves as a seamark for navigation in the region.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse was constructed using a metal framework and stands 42.1 meters tall with a focal height of 40 meters.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic of Hải đăng Đá Lát is Fl (3) W.15s, indicating a 5-second flash period with a range of 15 nautical miles. The lighthouse remains operational, serving as a vital aid for mariners and ships navigating through the waters surrounding the Spratly Islands.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can reach Hải đăng Đá Lát by boat or aircraft. However, due to its remote location, there are no public facilities or accommodations available on site. The closest landmass is the Vietnamese mainland, which lies approximately 100 nautical miles away.

Notable Views and Landscape

From the top of the lighthouse, mariners can take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding waters and the vast expanse of the South China Sea. The landscape is characterized by open water, with the occasional rocky outcropping or coral reef breaking up the horizon.

Technical and Operational Details

The operation of Hải đăng Đá Lát remains automated, eliminating the need for manual maintenance or human intervention. The management authority responsible for maintaining and operating the lighthouse is not specified in available records.

Further Information

• For further reading on lighthouses in Southeast Asia, consult "Lighthouses of Southeast Asia" by J. S. H. Smith (Oxford University Press) and "A Guide to Lighthouses in Vietnam" by T. V. Le (Nha Xuat Ban Giao Duc).