Reef and Torres Strait beacon catalogue
Every mark photographed from the bridge on passage, catalogued with its structure, type and light characteristic. Built so trainee pilots can recognise each mark by day, by shape and by its light before they ever see it from the bridge.
Reading a light characteristic
Not for navigation. Photographs were taken from the bridge on passage in August 2026. Light characteristics are taken from the published light list or the ECDIS display at the time, as shown on each card. Always use the current chart, light list and Notices to Mariners.
© Southern Cross Maritime. All photographs and video on this page are the property of Southern Cross Maritime Pty Ltd and may not be copied, reproduced or used for training or commercial purposes without written permission. ECDIS screen photographs are by Southern Cross Maritime; the chart data shown remains the property of its publisher.
Chapman Beacon
Focal height 18 m. White or red by direction.
- Structure
- Pile beacon with white lantern housing, seen against the Cape Direction coastline.
- Pilot's note
- First mark of the run, 08:41. A sector light: the colour you see tells you which side of the line you are on.
Sunk Reef Light
- Structure
- Single steel pile with a gallery and lantern near the top.
- Pilot's note
- Passed at 08:46, five minutes after Chapman. Close spacing of marks here leaves little time to identify each one.
Fredrick Patches Light
- Structure
- Steel pile structure with a white lantern housing and solar array.
- Pilot's note
- 08:48. Shows how the same structure reads differently as the range closes.
Robin Reef Light
Focal height 21 m. White or red by direction.
- Structure
- Skeletal tower on a concrete platform supported by piles.
- Pilot's note
- 09:01, shot into the sun. Silhouette only: a good example of identifying a mark by shape when colour is lost.
Osborn Reef Light
- Structure
- White lantern housing on a pile, with gallery.
- Pilot's note
- 09:33. Second photo at closer range shows the lantern and gallery detail.
West Derry Shoal
- Structure
- Red pillar beacon with a dark topmark.
- Pilot's note
- 09:50. Mark type to be confirmed from the chart before use as training material.
Colclough Reef Light
- Structure
- Pile beacon with white lantern housing.
- Pilot's note
- 09:59. Seen against the high ground of the mainland.
Diamond Reign Light
Focal height 22 m. White, red or green by direction; narrow white sectors lead past the reefs.
- Structure
- White tower on a square platform on piles.
- Pilot's note
- 10:43. A three-colour sector light: stay in the white.
Corbett Reef Light
Focal height 21 m.
- Structure
- Post with a square cabinet and double gallery on a multi-pile base, standing on the reef flat.
- Pilot's note
- 14:33. Marks a narrow passage between reefs north-west of Cape Melville. The reef flat is visible either side of the structure.
Pipon Islet Light
Focal height 26 m. White or red by direction.
- Structure
- White square skeletal tower on a concrete pier, on the islet.
- Pilot's note
- 16:17. Guides vessels round Cape Melville.
Cape Melville
No light on the headland itself. Pipon Islet Light guides vessels round the cape.
- Structure
- Headland of granite boulders; a strong radar and visual mark.
- Pilot's note
- 16:20. Included as the landmark that frames the turn round the cape.
Goods Island Lights
Rear light focal height 105 m. Together they form the Goods Island range at the entrance to Normanby Sound.
- Structure
- Rear: white tower high on the island. Front: small white hut on a rock platform below.
- Pilot's note
- Photo 01 shows both upper and lower lights in one frame.
Goods Island, south side and Tucker Point
- Structure
- White lantern housings on pile beacons close inshore.
- Pilot's note
- Photo 02 is Tucker Point.
Hammond Rock
- Structure
- Light structure on piles beside the rock, with the signal station on the rock itself.
- Pilot's note
- Approach sequence from distance to close abeam, plus video on passage.
Harrison Rock
Range 5.5 M. Six quick flashes and a long flash: pass to the south.
- Structure
- Yellow over black pillar buoy; topmark two black cones, points down.
- Pilot's note
- Captioned in the library as Harrison Light Cardinal; the ECDIS label reads Harrison Rock.
Mecca Reef
Continuous quick flashing: pass to the north.
- Structure
- Cardinal mark shown on ECDIS with topmark two cones, points up.
- Pilot's note
- No photo on this passage; the chart extract shows the mark and its characteristic.
Nardana Patches
- Structure
- Steel pile platform with lantern housing and solar array.
- Pilot's note
- A closing sequence from close range out to the horizon.
North West Reef
Focal height 7 m, range 11 M. Equal light and dark, 2.5 s each.
- Structure
- White tower on the reef, north side of the channel.
- Pilot's note
- Near Duff Rock and Pilot Knob, seen from seaward.
Puller Rock
Range 5.5 M. Danger at the mark, navigable water all round.
- Structure
- Black pillar with red bands; topmark two black spheres.
- Pilot's note
- Clear isolated danger colours and topmark at close range.
Training pilots for the reef and the strait.
We use this catalogue alongside chartwork and simulation, so trainees know every mark on the route before the passage. Talk to us about pilot training, check pilot preparation or route familiarisation.