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LOCAL Thursday 15 February 2024

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 There are a number of sto- it broke, and they lost the with something innovative and poured a concrete
is on the outskirts of Seroe ries as to the origins of the anchor and its chain.“ for the San Nicolas area to pad around it. On April 17,
Colorado, on the south anchor, which one do you draw tourism to the area. 2005, the anchor monu-
east point of the island at think it was? (Unfortunately Story 2: ment was rededicated “To
the “T” junction to Baby the mystery has never been “Mr. Curiel also said that The “anchor”, which at that All Seamen” in a formal
Beach. solved, so your imagination at one time a small tanker time was being stored at ceremony in memory of
Depending on where you can pick which one you with a Korean crew, while the Oranjestad harbor, was Charles Brouns Jr.
are staying on the island, think it might be!) lifting their anchor also lift- suggested as an option.
follow the signs that in- ed another anchor near Charlie liked the idea! He Today, the anchor stands
dicate the way to Baby Story 1: the inner harbor. When the then contacted the Presi- both as memorial to all
Beach. Once you reach “According to Mr. Man- ship asked for assistance, dent of Lago for permission seaman who have lost their
the T-junction, it will be right uel M. Curiel, an ex-Lago he went with his tugboat to acquire the anchor. He lives at sea, but also as a
in front of you. Tug Captain, a fully laden along with a barge, to help. was granted permission silent reminder that Seroe
VLCC (Very Large Crude But eventually they had to and the anchor was then Colorado is part of San
About the Anchor Carrier) was seeking a cut the chain and let the relocated to its present lo- Nicolas and that San Nico-
Size mooring at the 15-mile an- anchor go to the bottom cation and dedicated “To las is still a vibrant and im-
It will be hard to miss the chorage, known as Bara, because they could not All Seamen” on the occa- portant part of the island of
anchor, it’s huge! The an- on the southern part of the untangle them. ” sion of the closing of the Aruba.
chor that weighs 21,772 ki- island. This is the usual shal- Lago Oil Refinery on March
los, is approximately 10 feet low mooring location for How Did The Anchor Be- 31, 1985. The Best Time to Visit
6 inches wide and 15 feet, ships awaiting orders, etc. come a Landmark? When your planning your
6 inches tall. The weather was rough Sometime between 1980 Through the Years visit to the south end of the
On the anchor there are with strong current. The and 1985, three gentlemen Through the years the An- island, you will want to in-
some numbers. The 4112 normal procedure is that (Mr. Wim Martinus – the chor was slowly weather- clude in your itinerary the
and 4115, which are be- they would walk out three Harbormaster of Aruba; ing from the wind and salt. many things to see and
lieved to be the serial num- shackles (about 90 feet) Mr. August Genser – the As time passed, sadly the do there. The anchor will
bers that refer to the “fluke” until the anchor touches ex-Division Superintendent origin and purpose of the be just one of these stops,
or horizontal and vertical the bottom while the chain of Lago’s Laboratory; and anchor slowly faded away (keep an eye out for our fu-
parts of the anchor, respec- must rest on the bottom. Mr. Willie Davis – Owner from people’s memories. ture editions, we publish our
tively. The number 21772K Subsequently, they will of Filtec at Zeewijk in San recommendations!).
refers to the weight of the walk out some extra shack- Nicolas), were having a After Charles Brouns Jr died
anchor in kilos. les and when the ship starts conversation with Mr. Char- on September 15, 2004, his With that being said, I have
This type of anchor was to swing or lean on one lie Brouns Jr. at his famous friend Mr. Sam Speziale, to say, if you enjoy catch-
manufactured by Hoesch side, the anchor is properly Charlie’s Bar and Restau- requested assistance from ing a sunrise, the anchor is
Dortmund Horde, at a set. Because of the rough rant in San Nicolas. Charlie, the management of Vale- one of the best places on
foundry located in Germa- weather, unfortunately who was a visionary and ro Aruba Refinery to help the island to catch the sun-
ny. they did not get the time to had dreams for develop- maintain the monument. rise. But in reality, anytime
walk out the extra tackles ing the San Nicolas area, The Valero Aruba Refinery, is a good time to visit, de-
Where did the Anchor and because of the ten- told these gentlemen that graciously sandblasted pending on your personal
Come From? sion exerted on the winch, he would like to come up and painted the anchor schedule.