Sankaty Head Light

Did you know that our beloved Sankaty Head Lighthouse in Sconset, perched along the island’s eastern shore, is more than just a beacon guiding passing ships?

A collaborative effort between The Sconset Trust and Station Keeper (a national network of monitoring stations along the eastern seaboard), has advanced North Atlantic Right Whale protection to an entirely new level. At Sankaty Head Light, the Station Keeper monitoring station utilizes Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology to deliver real-time safety alerts to passing vessels, notifying captains of sensitive marine areas where whales may be resting or traveling along their migratory route off Nantucket’s eastern shore, including more specifically designated NOAA Seasonal Management Areas.

These targeted communications inform mariners of active slow zones, the confirmed presence of endangered whales, and any temporary no-entry areas established to safeguard these vulnerable species. Beyond its immediate impact on vessel awareness and compliance, the AIS network serves as a powerful data collection system, operating continuously to deepen our understanding of the ocean and help protect one of its most endangered inhabitants.

Learn more about how StationKeeper helps to keep the North Atlantic Right Whales safe in our waters by visiting their site here.

If you would like to learn more about the efforts of Sconset Trust, including their preservation efforts, land conservation, or more about the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, including its historic relocation in 2007, please visit: sconsettrust.org

For a list of current slow zones and ‘seasonal’ management areas defined by NOAA, please visit this link

Valid through April 13, 2026:

For more Nantucket stories visit our blog at Fisher Real Eastate.