Red Anchor Memorial

On the outskirts of Seroe Colorado in Aruba, marking a turn toward Baby Beach sits a 24-ton bright red fluke-style anchor. The origins of the anchor are shrouded in mystery, but how it ended up here is certain. The placement of the anchor was the brainchild of Charlie Brouns, Jr. as a landmark to draw tourists as part of his vision to invigorate San Nicolas area development.

The anchor was placed and dedicated on March 31, 1985 “To All Seamen.” After Charlie Brouns passed in 2004, the Valero Aruba Refinery, which is also located near San Nicolas, cleaned up the now weathered anchor and rededicated it to the memory of Charlie and “To All Seamen” on April 17, 2005. The plaque actually reads “To All Seaman,” but the island is a cornucopia of language variations, so the grammar can be excused, or you can make up your own story of why. The Anchor appears in several murals across the country and there is even a distillery on the island bearing the name Red Anchor.

A short step ladder behind the anchor offers the opportunity to climb up to take pictures.