Lightstations as aids to navigation
Canada is home to more than 250 lightstations, and they are all fully autonomous aids to navigation with automated lights. The government manages and maintains most of these lightstations for operational purposes.
Changing role of lightstations
Today’s mariners use a variety of modern technology to:
- guide their navigation
- ensure their safety
- protect the environment
Lightstations are one of the tools available to them to:
- assist their landfall
- identify their position
- avoid marine hazards
51 lightstations are staffed:
- 1 in New Brunswick
- 27 in British Columbia
- 23 in Newfoundland and Labrador
Both commercial mariners and pleasure craft owners also have access to a variety of advanced e-navigation tools such as:
- GPS
- lighted marine buoys
- satellite-based positioning systems
Surplus lightstations
The federal government has transferred over 100 lightstations that are no longer in use to:
- individuals
- municipalities
- community groups
The new owners conserve these important heritage sites for the benefit of all Canadians. Please visit Lighthouses in Canada for more information about this process.
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