Casquets lighthouses, Lighthouse complex on Les Casquets rocks, Alderney, Channel Islands.
Casquets lighthouses comprise three stone towers built on the rocky Casquets rocks off Alderney in the Channel Islands. The north-west tower continues to function as the main navigation light for vessels passing through the English Channel.
Trinity House granted Thomas Le Cocq permission in 1723 to build three lighthouses on the rocks, which began operation with coal fires in 1724. The installation has been modernized several times and now relies on renewable energy rather than open flames.
The three towers carry historical names that visitors still see marked on charts and maps today. They represent an enduring symbol of maritime safety in one of Europe's busiest sea routes.
The lighthouses are located on isolated rocks and are only accessible by boat or helicopter from Alderney, so plan a sea tour in advance. Weather on the open water can shift quickly, so wear sturdy footwear and layered clothing suitable for changing conditions.
The three towers were deliberately arranged in a triangular formation to distinguish them from French lighthouses on nearby shores. This design helped ship captains identify them quickly and navigate safely through that dangerous sea zone.
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