Page 10 - AHATA

Tuesday 19 augusT 2025 locAl
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Don’t forget to visit Aruba’s famous Red Anchor

(Oranjestad)—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”
landmark 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 Aruba.
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 entrance to Gate 6 to
the former Lago Colony. It
is on the outskirts of Seroe There are a number of broke, and they lost the something innovative for painted the anchor and
Colorado, on the south stories as to the origins of the anchor and its chain.“ the San Nicolas area to poured a concrete pad
east point of the island at anchor, which one do you draw tourism to the area. around it. On April 17, 2005,
the “T” junction to Baby think it was? (Unfortunately Story 2: the anchor monument
Beach. the mystery has never been “Mr. Curiel also said that The “anchor”, which at was rededicated “To
Depending on where solved, so your imagination at one time a small tanker that time was being stored All Seamen” in a formal
you are staying on the can pick which one you with a Korean crew, while at the Oranjestad harbor, ceremony in memory of
island, follow the signs that think it might be!) lifting their anchor also was suggested as an Charles Brouns Jr.
indicate the way to Baby lifted another anchor near option. Charlie liked the
Beach. Once you reach Story 1: the inner harbor. When the idea! He then contacted Today, the anchor stands
the T-junction, it will be right “According to Mr. Manuel ship asked for assistance, the President of Lago for both as memorial to all
in front of you. M. Curiel, an ex-Lago Tug he went with his tugboat permission to acquire the seaman who have lost
Captain, a fully laden VLCC along with a barge, to help. anchor. He was granted their lives at sea, but also

About the Anchor (Very Large Crude Carrier) But eventually they had to permission and the anchor as a silent reminder that
Size was seeking a mooring at cut the chain and let the was then relocated to Seroe Colorado is part of
It will be hard to miss the the 15-mile anchorage, anchor go to the bottom its present location and San Nicolas and that San
anchor, it’s huge! The known as Bara, on the because they could not dedicated “To All Seamen” Nicolas is still a vibrant and
anchor that weighs 21,772 southern part of the island. untangle them. ” on the occasion of the important part of the island
kilos, is approximately 10 This is the usual shallow closing of the Lago Oil of Aruba.
feet 6 inches wide and 15 mooring location for ships How Did The Anchor Refinery on March 31, 1985.
feet, 6 inches tall. awaiting orders, etc. The Become a Landmark? The Best Time to Visit
On the anchor there are weather was rough with Sometime between 1980 Through the Years When your planning your
some numbers. The 4112 strong current. The normal and 1985, three gentlemen Through the years the visit to the south end of
and 4115, which are procedure is that they (Mr. Wim Martinus – the Anchor was slowly the island, you will want to
believed to be the serial would walk out three Harbormaster of Aruba; Mr. weathering from the wind include in your itinerary the
numbers that refer to the shackles (about 90 feet) August Genser – the ex- and salt. As time passed, many things to see and do
“fluke” or horizontal and until the anchor touches Division Superintendent of sadly the origin and there. The anchor will be
vertical parts of the anchor, the bottom while the chain Lago’s Laboratory; and Mr. purpose of the anchor just one of these stops.
respectively. The number must rest on the bottom. Willie Davis – Owner of Filtec slowly faded away from
21772K refers to the weight Subsequently, they will walk at Zeewijk in San Nicolas), people’s memories. With that being said, we
of the anchor in kilos. out some extra shackles were having a conversation have to say, if you enjoy
This type of anchor was and when the ship starts with Mr. Charlie Brouns After Charles Brouns Jr died catching a sunrise, the
manufactured by Hoesch to swing or lean on one Jr. at his famous Charlie’s on September 15, 2004, his anchor is one of the best
Dortmund Horde, at side, the anchor is properly Bar and Restaurant in friend Mr. Sam Speziale, places on the island to
a foundry located in set. Because of the rough San Nicolas. Charlie, who requested assistance from catch the sunrise. But in
Germany. weather, unfortunately was a visionary and had the management of Valero reality, anytime is a good
they did not get the time to dreams for developing Aruba Refinery to help time to visit, depending on
Where did the Anchor walk out the extra tackles the San Nicolas area, told maintain the monument. your personal schedule.q
Come From? and because of the tension these gentlemen that he The Valero Aruba Refinery,
exerted on the winch, it would like to come up with graciously sandblasted and