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LOCAL Monday 13 May 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 barren 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” land-
mark 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 itinerary when
your visiting the south coast of Aru-
ba. 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 en-
trance to Gate 6 to the former
Lago Colony. It is on the outskirts of
Seroe Colorado, on the south east
point of the island at the “T” junc-
tion to Baby Beach.
Depending on where you are stay-
ing on the island, follow the signs
that indicate the way to Baby The Red Anchor situated at the entrance of former Lago Colony in San Nicolas
Beach. Once you reach the T-junc-
tion, it will be right in front of you. the island. This is the usual shallow Mr. August Genser – the ex-Division Speziale, requested assistance
mooring location for ships await- Superintendent of Lago’s Labora- from the management of Valero
ing orders, etc. The weather was tory; and Mr. Willie Davis – Owner Aruba Refinery to help maintain the
About the Anchor rough with strong current. The nor- of Filtec at Zeewijk in San Nicolas), monument. The Valero Aruba Re-
Size mal procedure is that they would were having a conversation with finery, graciously sandblasted and
It will be hard to miss the anchor, walk out three shackles (about 90 Mr. Charlie Brouns Jr. at his famous painted the anchor and poured a
it’s huge! The anchor that weighs feet) until the anchor touches the Charlie’s Bar and Restaurant in concrete pad around it. On April
21,772 kilos, is approximately 10 bottom while the chain must rest San Nicolas. Charlie, who was a 17, 2005, the anchor monument
feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet, 6 on the bottom. Subsequently, they visionary and had dreams for de- was rededicated “To All Seamen”
inches tall. will walk out some extra shackles veloping the San Nicolas area, told in a formal ceremony in memory of
On the anchor there are some and when the ship starts to swing these gentlemen that he would like Charles Brouns Jr.
numbers. The 4112 and 4115, or lean on one side, the anchor is to come up with something inno-
which are believed to be the serial properly set. Because of the rough vative for the San Nicolas area to Today, the anchor stands both as
numbers that refer to the “fluke” or weather, unfortunately they did draw tourism to the area. memorial to all seaman who have
horizontal and vertical parts of the not get the time to walk out the lost their lives at sea, but also as a
anchor, respectively. The number extra tackles and because of the The “anchor”, which at that time silent reminder that Seroe Colora-
21772K refers to the weight of the tension exerted on the winch, it was being stored at the Oranjes- do is part of San Nicolas and that
anchor in kilos. broke, and they lost the anchor tad harbor, was suggested as an San Nicolas is still a vibrant and im-
This type of anchor was manufac- and its chain.“ option. Charlie liked the idea! He portant part of the island of Aruba.
tured by Hoesch Dortmund Horde, then contacted the President of
at a foundry located in Germany. Story 2: Lago for permission to acquire the
“Mr. Curiel also said that at one anchor. He was granted permis- The Best Time to Visit
Where did the Anchor Come From? time a small tanker with a Korean sion and the anchor was then re- When your planning your visit to
There are a number of stories as crew, while lifting their anchor also located to its present location and the south end of the island, you will
to the origins of the anchor, which lifted another anchor near the in- dedicated “To All Seamen” on the want to include in your itinerary the
one do you think it was? (Unfortu- ner harbor. When the ship asked occasion of the closing of the Lago many things to see and do there.
nately the mystery has never been for assistance, he went with his tug- Oil Refinery on March 31, 1985. The anchor will be just one of these
solved, so your imagination can boat along with a barge, to help. stops, (keep an eye out for our fu-
pick which one you think it might But eventually they had to cut the Through the Years ture editions, we publish our rec-
be!) chain and let the anchor go to the Through the years the Anchor was ommendations!).
bottom because they could not slowly weathering from the wind
Story 1: untangle them. ” and salt. As time passed, sadly the With that being said, I have to say,
“According to Mr. Manuel M. Cu- origin and purpose of the anchor if you enjoy catching a sunrise, the
riel, an ex-Lago Tug Captain, a fully How Did The Anchor Become a slowly faded away from people’s anchor is one of the best places on
laden VLCC (Very Large Crude Landmark? memories. the island to catch the sunrise. But
Carrier) was seeking a mooring Sometime between 1980 and 1985, in reality, anytime is a good time to
at the 15-mile anchorage, known three gentlemen (Mr. Wim Marti- After Charles Brouns Jr died on Sep- visit, depending on your personal
as Bara, on the southern part of nus – the Harbormaster of Aruba; tember 15, 2004, his friend Mr. Sam schedule.q