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Friday 5 September 2025 locAl
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Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

At the south east coast of
the island, standing alone
on a windswept and bar-
ren land stands a popular
Aruba landmark – a large
anchor. It overlooks the
sea just beyond, watching
over the shipping lanes. It
stands there in memory and
in honor of all seamen who
have lost their life at sea.

Where to Find the Anchor?
The anchor is a “must see”
landmark when you visit
Aruba. It is among the most
photographed historical
landmarks for the island.
You want to make sure you
add this stop on your itiner-
ary when your visiting the
south coast of Aruba. The
bright red anchor against
the backdrop of the deep
blue Caribbean sea and
the azure blue skies, make
a great backdrop for your
vacation pictures.

The anchor is located at
the entrance to Gate 6 to
the former Lago Colony. It
is on the outskirts of Seroe
Colorado, on the south east There are a number of sto- they lost the anchor and its tive for the San Nicolas area around it. On April 17, 2005,
point of the island at the “T” ries as to the origins of the chain.“ to draw tourism to the area. the anchor monument was
junction to Baby Beach. anchor, which one do you rededicated “To All Sea-
think it was? (Unfortunately Story 2: The “anchor”, which at that men” in a formal ceremo-
Depending on where you the mystery has never been “Mr. Curiel also said that time was being stored at ny in memory of Charles
are staying on the island, solved, so your imagination at one time a small tanker the Oranjestad harbor, was Brouns Jr.
follow the signs that in- can pick which one you with a Korean crew, while suggested as an option.
dicate the way to Baby think it might be!) lifting their anchor also lift- Charlie liked the idea! He Today, the anchor stands
Beach. Once you reach ed another anchor near then contacted the Presi- both as memorial to all
the T-junction, it will be right Story 1: the inner harbor. When the dent of Lago for permission seaman who have lost their
in front of you. “According to Mr. Man- ship asked for assistance, to acquire the anchor. He lives at sea, but also as a
uel M. Curiel, an ex-Lago he went with his tugboat was granted permission silent reminder that Seroe
About the Anchor Tug Captain, a fully laden along with a barge, to help. and the anchor was then Colorado is part of San
Size VLCC (Very Large Crude But eventually they had to relocated to its present lo- Nicolas and that San Nico-
It will be hard to miss the an- Carrier) was seeking a cut the chain and let the cation and dedicated “To las is still a vibrant and im-
chor, it’s huge! The anchor mooring at the 15-mile an- anchor go to the bottom All Seamen” on the occa- portant part of the island of
that weighs 21,772 kilos, is chorage, known as Bara, because they could not sion of the closing of the Aruba.
approximately 10 feet 6 on the southern part of the untangle them. ” Lago Oil Refinery on March
inches wide and 15 feet, 6 island. This is the usual shal- 31, 1985. The Best Time to Visit
inches tall. low mooring location for How Did The Anchor Be- When your planning your
ships awaiting orders, etc. come a Landmark? Through the Years visit to the south end of the
On the anchor there are The weather was rough Sometime between 1980 Through the years the An- island, you will want to in-
some numbers. The 4112 with strong current. The nor- and 1985, three gentlemen chor was slowly weather- clude in your itinerary the
and 4115, which are be- mal procedure is that they (Mr. Wim Martinus – the ing from the wind and salt. many things to see and
lieved to be the serial num- would walk out three shack- Harbormaster of Aruba; Mr. As time passed, sadly the do there. The anchor will
bers that refer to the “fluke” les (about 90 feet) until the August Genser – the ex- origin and purpose of the be just one of these stops,
or horizontal and vertical anchor touches the bottom Division Superintendent of anchor slowly faded away (keep an eye out for our fu-
parts of the anchor, respec- while the chain must rest on Lago’s Laboratory; and Mr. from people’s memories. ture editions, we publish our
tively. The number 21772K the bottom. Subsequently, Willie Davis – Owner of Filtec recommendations!).
refers to the weight of the they will walk out some ex- at Zeewijk in San Nicolas), After Charles Brouns Jr died
anchor in kilos. tra shackles and when the were having a conversation on September 15, 2004, his With that being said, I have
ship starts to swing or lean with Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. friend Mr. Sam Speziale, to say, if you enjoy catch-
This type of anchor was on one side, the anchor is at his famous Charlie’s Bar requested assistance from ing a sunrise, the anchor is
manufactured by Hoesch properly set. Because of and Restaurant in San Nico- the management of Vale- one of the best places on
Dortmund Horde, at a the rough weather, unfor- las. Charlie, who was a vi- ro Aruba Refinery to help the island to catch the sun-
foundry located in Germa- tunately they did not get sionary and had dreams for maintain the monument. rise. But in reality, anytime
ny. the time to walk out the developing the San Nicolas The Valero Aruba Refinery, is a good time to visit, de-
extra tackles and because area, told these gentlemen graciously sandblasted and pending on your personal
Where did the Anchor of the tension exerted on that he would like to come painted the anchor and schedule.q
Come From? the winch, it broke, and up with something innova- poured a concrete pad