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local Friday 13 September 2024

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

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