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local Monday 27 January 2025

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

At the south east coast of the island, pick which one you think it might
standing alone on a windswept be!)
and barren land stands a popular

Aruba landmark – a large anchor. Story 1:
It overlooks the sea just beyond, “According to Mr. Manuel M. Cu-
watching over the shipping lanes. riel, an ex-Lago Tug Captain, a fully

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