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LOCAL Monday 23 SepteMber 2024

Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

At the south east coast of ufactured by Hoesch Dort-
the island, standing alone mund Horde, at a foundry How Did The Anchor Become
on a windswept and bar- located in Germany. a Landmark?
ren land stands a popular Sometime between 1980
Aruba landmark – a large Where did the Anchor Come and 1985, three gentlemen
anchor. It overlooks the From? (Mr. Wim Martinus – the Har-
sea just beyond, watching There are a number of sto- bormaster of Aruba; Mr. Au-
over the shipping lanes. It ries as to the origins of the gust Genser – the ex-Division
stands there in memory and anchor, which one do you Superintendent of Lago’s
in honor of all seamen who think it was? (Unfortunately Laboratory; and Mr. Willie
have lost their life at sea. the mystery has never been Davis – Owner of Filtec at
solved, so your imagination Zeewijk in San Nicolas), were
Where to Find the Anchor? can pick which one you think having a conversation with
The anchor is a “must see” it might be!) Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. at his
landmark when you visit famous Charlie’s Bar and
Aruba. It is among the most Story 1: Restaurant in San Nicolas.
photographed historical “According to Mr. Manuel Charlie, who was a vision-
landmarks for the island. M. Curiel, an ex-Lago Tug ary and had dreams for
You want to make sure you Captain, a fully laden VLCC developing the San Nicolas

add this stop on your itiner- (Very Large Crude Carrier) area, told these gentlemen
ary when your visiting the was seeking a mooring at the that he would like to come
south coast of Aruba. The 15-mile anchorage, known up with something innova-
bright red anchor against as Bara, on the southern tive for the San Nicolas area
the backdrop of the deep part of the island. This is the to draw tourism to the area.
blue Caribbean sea and usual shallow mooring loca-
the azure blue skies, make tion for ships awaiting orders, The “anchor”, which at that Pic caption: The Red Anchor situated at the entrance of
a great backdrop for your etc. The weather was rough time was being stored at the former Lago Colony in San Nicolas
vacation pictures. with strong current. The nor- Oranjestad harbor, was sug-
mal procedure is that they gested as an option. Charlie monument was rededicated island, you will want to in-
The anchor is located at the would walk out three shack- liked the idea! He then con- “To All Seamen” in a formal clude in your itinerary the
entrance to Gate 6 to the les (about 90 feet) until the tacted the President of Lago ceremony in memory of many things to see and do
former Lago Colony. It is on anchor touches the bottom for permission to acquire the Charles Brouns Jr. there. The anchor will be just
the outskirts of Seroe Colo- while the chain must rest on anchor. He was granted per- one of these stops, (keep an
rado, on the south east point the bottom. Subsequently, mission and the anchor was Today, the anchor stands eye out for our future edi-
of the island at the “T” junc- they will walk out some extra then relocated to its present both as memorial to all sea- tions, we publish our recom-
tion to Baby Beach. shackles and when the ship location and dedicated “To man who have lost their lives mendations!).
Depending on where you are starts to swing or lean on one All Seamen” on the occasion at sea, but also as a silent
staying on the island, follow side, the anchor is properly of the closing of the Lago Oil reminder that Seroe Colo- With that being said, I have
the signs that indicate the set. Because of the rough Refinery on March 31, 1985. rado is part of San Nicolas to say, if you enjoy catching
way to Baby Beach. Once weather, unfortunately they and that San Nicolas is still a a sunrise, the anchor is one
you reach the T-junction, it did not get the time to walk Through the Years vibrant and important part of the best places on the is-
will be right in front of you. out the extra tackles and be- Through the years the Anchor of the island of Aruba. land to catch the sunrise. But
cause of the tension exerted was slowly weathering from in reality, anytime is a good
About the Anchor on the winch, it broke, and the wind and salt. As time The Best Time to Visit time to visit, depending on
Size they lost the anchor and its passed, sadly the origin and When your planning your your personal schedule.q
It will be hard to miss the an- chain.“ purpose of the anchor slowly visit to the south end of the
chor, it’s huge! The anchor faded away from people’s
that weighs 21,772 kilos, is ap- Story 2: memories.
proximately 10 feet 6 inches “Mr. Curiel also said that at
wide and 15 feet, 6 inches one time a small tanker with After Charles Brouns Jr died
tall. a Korean crew, while lifting on September 15, 2004, his
On the anchor there are their anchor also lifted an- friend Mr. Sam Speziale, re-
some numbers. The 4112 and other anchor near the inner quested assistance from the
4115, which are believed to harbor. When the ship asked management of Valero Aru-
be the serial numbers that for assistance, he went with ba Refinery to help maintain
refer to the “fluke” or hori- his tugboat along with a the monument. The Valero
zontal and vertical parts of barge, to help. But eventu- Aruba Refinery, graciously
the anchor, respectively. The ally they had to cut the chain sandblasted and painted
number 21772K refers to the and let the anchor go to the the anchor and poured a
weight of the anchor in kilos. bottom because they could concrete pad around it. On
This type of anchor was man- not untangle them. ” April 17, 2005, the anchor