Light emitting diode (LED) red buoy light

This report details the results obtained with a small LED package mounted in a circle with a plastic thin film Fresnel lens. A package of 120 LEDs mounted in the above configuration was able to provide a red 4 mile nominal range light. This is the most common range light presently in use on buoys. The low cost, high reliability and long life of LEDs are convincing reasons to pursue further efforts in this area. Finally, the ability to flash LEDs at a very fast rate could allow the Coast Guard to monitor the status of buoys with an optical receiver, while the mariner would still perceive the light as being continuously on.