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local Friday 1 december 2023

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