Buzzards Bay Entrance Light

The Buzzards Bay Entrance Light is situated on an island in open water at the entrance to Buzzards Bay, approximately four nautical miles west-southwest of Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts, United States.

Location and Accessibility

• The current structure was built in 1996. It replaced a Texas Tower constructed in 1961, which itself had replaced two lightships: Hens & Chickens (LV-5) and Vineyard Sound (LV-10).
• Due to the water's depth of 50 ft (15m), a conventional lighthouse would have been impractical.

History

The Buzzards Bay Entrance Light is a tower-shaped beacon, standing at a height of 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) above sea level.

It features a red coloration and emits a white light with a characteristic pattern.

The light's period is 2.5 seconds, and its range is believed to be significant for navigation purposes.

Light Characteristics

• The light has a distinctive pattern of Fl, indicating a fixed light with a specific sequence.
• Its exhibition period is night, and it features a fog signal category of horn, with a sequence of 02.0+(02.0)+02.0+(24.0).
• The light also uses a racon system to identify itself.

Current Status

The Buzzards Bay Entrance Light remains an active aid to navigation, operating as part of the US Coast Guard's network.

Heritage Status

This lighthouse has been designated with a specific status in Massachusetts, although details are not available for this section.

Notable Historical Events

None reported.