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Tuesday 1 augusT 2023 locAl
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Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. at his famous
Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant in
San Nicolas. Charlie, who was a
visionary and had dreams for de-
veloping the San Nicolas area, told
these gentlemen that he would
like to come up with something in-
novative for the San Nicolas area
to draw tourism to the area.

The “anchor”, which at that time
was being stored at the Oranjes-
tad harbor, was suggested as an
option. Charlie liked the idea! He
then contacted the President of
Lago for permission to acquire the
anchor. He was granted permis-
sion and the anchor was then re-
located to its present location and
dedicated “To All Seamen” on the
occasion of the closing of the Lago
Oil Refinery on March 31, 1985.

Through the Years
Through the years the Anchor was
slowly weathering from the wind
and salt. As time passed, sadly the
origin and purpose of the anchor
slowly faded away from people’s
memories.

After Charles Brouns Jr died on Sep-
The Red Anchor situated at the entrance of former Lago Colony in San Nicolas tember 15, 2004, his friend Mr. Sam
Speziale, requested assistance
At the south east coast of the island, It will be hard to miss the anchor, walk out three shackles (about 90 from the management of Valero
standing alone on a windswept it’s huge! The anchor that weighs feet) until the anchor touches the Aruba Refinery to help maintain the
and barren land stands a popular 21,772 kilos, is approximately 10 bottom while the chain must rest monument. The Valero Aruba Re-

Aruba landmark – a large anchor. feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet, 6 on the bottom. Subsequently, they finery, graciously sandblasted and
It overlooks the sea just beyond, inches tall. will walk out some extra shackles painted the anchor and poured a

watching over the shipping lanes. On the anchor there are some and when the ship starts to swing concrete pad around it. On April
It stands there in memory and in numbers. The 4112 and 4115, or lean on one side, the anchor is 17, 2005, the anchor monument
honor of all seamen who have lost which are believed to be the serial properly set. Because of the rough was rededicated “To All Seamen”
their life at sea. numbers that refer to the “fluke” or weather, unfortunately they did in a formal ceremony in memory of
horizontal and vertical parts of the not get the time to walk out the Charles Brouns Jr.
Where to Find the Anchor? anchor, respectively. The number extra tackles and because of the
The anchor is a “must see” land- 21772K refers to the weight of the tension exerted on the winch, it Today, the anchor stands both as
mark when you visit Aruba. It is anchor in kilos. broke, and they lost the anchor memorial to all seaman who have
among the most photographed This type of anchor was manufac- and its chain.“ lost their lives at sea, but also as a
historical landmarks for the island. tured by Hoesch Dortmund Horde, silent reminder that Seroe Colora-
You want to make sure you add at a foundry located in Germany. Story 2: do is part of San Nicolas and that
this stop on your itinerary when “Mr. Curiel also said that at one San Nicolas is still a vibrant and im-
your visiting the south coast of Aru- Where did the Anchor Come From? time a small tanker with a Korean portant part of the island of Aruba.
ba. The bright red anchor against There are a number of stories as crew, while lifting their anchor also
the backdrop of the deep blue to the origins of the anchor, which lifted another anchor near the in- The Best Time to Visit
Caribbean sea and the azure blue one do you think it was? (Unfortu- ner harbor. When the ship asked When your planning your visit to
skies, make a great backdrop for nately the mystery has never been for assistance, he went with his tug- the south end of the island, you will
your vacation pictures. solved, so your imagination can boat along with a barge, to help. want to include in your itinerary the
pick which one you think it might But eventually they had to cut the many things to see and do there.
The anchor is located at the en- be!) chain and let the anchor go to the The anchor will be just one of these
trance to Gate 6 to the former bottom because they could not stops, (keep an eye out for our fu-
Lago Colony. It is on the outskirts of Story 1: untangle them. ” ture editions, we publish our rec-
Seroe Colorado, on the south east “According to Mr. Manuel M. Cu- ommendations!).
point of the island at the “T” junc- riel, an ex-Lago Tug Captain, a fully How Did The Anchor Become a
tion to Baby Beach. laden VLCC (Very Large Crude Landmark? With that being said, I have to say,
Depending on where you are stay- Carrier) was seeking a mooring Sometime between 1980 and 1985, if you enjoy catching a sunrise, the
ing on the island, follow the signs at the 15-mile anchorage, known three gentlemen (Mr. Wim Marti- anchor is one of the best places on
that indicate the way to Baby as Bara, on the southern part of nus – the Harbormaster of Aruba; the island to catch the sunrise. But
Beach. Once you reach the T-junc- the island. This is the usual shallow Mr. August Genser – the ex-Division in reality, anytime is a good time to
tion, it will be right in front of you. mooring location for ships await- Superintendent of Lago’s Labora- visit, depending on your personal
ing orders, etc. The weather was tory; and Mr. Willie Davis – Owner schedule.q
About the Anchor rough with strong current. The nor- of Filtec at Zeewijk in San Nicolas),
Size mal procedure is that they would were having a conversation with