Why were LEDs adopted for lighthouses and navigation buoys?

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were adopted for lighthouses and navigation buoys in the early 21st century as part of a broader trend of integrating new, efficient electric lamp technologies into maritime infrastructure.1

The adoption of LEDs aligns with the ongoing need for reliable, low-cost visual aids in coastal navigation. While traditional electric filament lamps, such as tungsten-halogen bulbs, served as the standard for much of the 20th century, LEDs offer significant advantages in efficiency and longevity. As with other modern lighting transitions, LEDs are implemented in lighthouse and buoy applications wherever they are deemed suitable to improve performance and reduce maintenance requirements.213

These advancements support the continued role of lighted marks as essential, simple, and reliable tools for guiding vessels through busy coastal waters and harbor approaches, providing a critical backup to more sophisticated electronic navigation systems.2