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Friday 3 June 2022 locAl
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Where to Find the 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
Beach. Once you reach the T-junc-
tion, it will be right in front of you.

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