Alderney Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse at Quénard Point, Alderney, Guernsey.
Alderney Lighthouse is a stone structure located on Quénard Point that rises approximately 32 meters (105 feet) and displays a white tower with a single broad black horizontal stripe visible in daylight. The installation now uses four LED lanterns operating in alternating pairs to deliver navigation signals across long distances.
Construction of this structure began in 1912 following the grounding of the steamship SS Liverpool in Cats Bay, which demonstrated the urgent need for improved maritime navigation aids in the area. This incident prompted authorities to establish the light station to prevent future maritime accidents in these treacherous waters.
The lighthouse represents how maritime communities adapted to modern technology when manual light operations ended. Local sailors view it as a guiding landmark that defines the island's seaward identity.
The lighthouse sits at an exposed coastal location and visitors should be prepared for variable weather conditions throughout the year. Visiting during clear conditions provides the best opportunity to appreciate the full character of the structure and its dramatic coastal setting.
The structure is remotely controlled from Trinity House Planning Centre in Harwich, Essex, meaning no attendants work on site as they did for decades before 1997. This automated operation makes it one of the Channel Islands' earliest fully remote maritime lights.
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