Since the rise of the great sea age, the number of ships sailing on the sea has increased significantly. Some ships can drift on the sea for months and have to sail at night to reach their destination. However, accidents at sea are relatively rare at night. This begs the question, how do ships ensure safe navigation at night, when visibility is limited?

Lighthouses are usually built along the coastlines, rivers, and sometimes on islands. They are usually constructed to be over 10 meters high, and in some cases, they can be as high as tens of meters. The lighthouse's height is determined by its primary function, which is to emit a light that acts as a navigation marker for ships.

As lighthouses are fixed in location, they provide a reliable point of reference for sailors to navigate by. They enable sailors to determine their position and direction, thereby preventing them from getting lost at sea.

During ancient times, the navigation industry was not as advanced as it is today. Consequently, ships primarily travelled along the coastlines, and the role of lighthouses was not limited to navigation alone.

Lighthouses also served as guides for ships, directing them away from coastal reefs and other dangerous obstacles. In this way, they helped prevent accidents at sea and provided sailors with a sense of safety and security.

Lighthouses consist of lamps and towers that can be constructed using various building materials. The primary consideration when constructing a lighthouse is to ensure it can withstand the harsh natural conditions of the sea, such as wind and waves. Lighthouses are designed to be durable and stable, and their height is adjusted to match the range of their light beams.

Lighthouses are fixed navigational markers, but technological advancements have led to the development of other systems that enhance navigation at sea. For instance, the establishment of the radar transponder, DGPS system, and AIS ship automatic identification system integrated navigation system has led to the weakening of the navigational role of lighthouses.

However, despite their decreasing navigational value, lighthouses still hold immense historical and cultural significance and have become geographic coordinates of great importance to many countries.

Apart from lighthouses, ships also rely on other navigation systems and technologies for safe navigation at night. These systems include walkie-talkies, GPS, and radar systems. Walkie-talkies enable ships to communicate with one another while at sea, and this communication helps ships to avoid collisions and navigate safely.

GPS and radar systems provide real-time location data and help ships to navigate through the darkness of night.

Ships navigate safely at night by utilizing various navigation systems and technologies. The use of lighthouses as fixed navigational markers is one of the oldest and most reliable ways for ships to navigate at sea.

Modern advancements in technology have led to the development of other navigational systems, such as GPS and radar, which complement the use of lighthouses. By combining these systems and technologies, ships can navigate safely at night and reach their destination without incident.