How did electronic navigation systems change the role of major lighthouses?

The development of electronic navigation systems has significantly altered the role of major lighthouses. As these sophisticated technologies have become standard, the need for powerful, long-range lights—particularly for landfall—has diminished, rendering many such structures increasingly superfluous.1

Despite this shift, lighthouses and lighted marks remain vital for maritime safety. Their role has evolved toward supporting navigation in busy or complex coastal waters and harbor approaches, where there has been a notable increase in the use of minor lights and lighted buoys.1

Visual navigation remains preferred by many mariners due to its simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, these visual aids serve as a critical, independent backup system for vessels that may lack specialized electronic equipment or in the event of a failure in more complex technological systems.1