© Copyright 2021 Yacht Story
Designed & Developed by Zeldiva Solutions
OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
JILL ZWAANS
Founder and Charter Director
jillzwaans@yachtstory.com
+32 478 350 763
Jill Zwaans is the proud founder of YACHT STORY with over 20 years of experience in the yacht charter business. The passion for yachting runs in her family as her grandfather built the first Carlo Riva yacht in 1973 and she spent all holidays on her family's sailing yacht. Sailing is part of her life and after collecting several sailing certificates, she became a sailing instructor herself. Today, she is still active in Snipe sailing and Superyacht regattas. Jill started her career as a charter assistant in Monaco for a reputable broker house and she hasn’t missed a Yacht Show since. She completed a Masters degree in Maritime Science and moved to Australia as the Sales & Marketing director for a shipyard, traveling frequently between Australia, North-America and Europe, facilitating luxury motor yacht sales. After spending a summer in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, working for the dealer of the shipyard, she shifted her focus to yacht charters. Jill continued developing her charter broking skills between the French Riviera and London. In 2010 she returned to Belgium with the strong ambition to set-up a charter business in the Benelux for yachts based worldwide. In 2021 she founded Yacht Story with the mission to guide you and shape your travel expectations into unique private yachting escapes to make memories at sea!
AXEL JORIS
Charter Executive and CA
charter@yachtstory.com
+32 471 94 83 41
Axel's grandfather had owned a shipyard in Flanders, which meant that Axel started learning the fundamentals of boat building from a young age. As a passionate sailor he obtained all the certificates necessary allowing him to discover the best sailing holiday locations through his own experience. Axel completed a degree at the De Ruyter Maritime Institute in Vlissingen - Netherlands, which he followed up with a career as a marine officer. After several years aboard cruise vessels and yachts, he traded in the sea for land and joined the YACHT STORY team in Spring 2022. His on-board experience combined with yacht management skills made hiring him as Charter Executive and Central Agent (CA) an obvious decision.
MAURITS DIERICK
Central Agent & Marketing Planner
charter@yachtstory.com
+32 470 97 20 17
As an experienced and popular yacht charter captain, Maurits is the ideal expansion of the YACHT STORY team. With his nautical knowledge and positive 'Can Do' attitude, he has the perfect feel of what yacht owners want and how he can convert their asset into a popular charter vessel. Maurits grew up in Antwerp, Belgium, where a passion for ‘competitive’ sailing and yachting has started. Other than this sailing career, all water sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, (free) diving, spearfishing, wakeboarding and mono-skiing have always been a yearly activity. Like all of us, Maurits’ job is his passion! This is clear in the personal touch he brings to his work, in his confident manner and meticulous eye to detail when preparing a charter. His technical background drives him to his additional position as Marketing Planner to boost the promotion side of the Yacht Story worldwide fleet.
JILL ZWAANS
Founder and Charter Director
jillzwaans@yachtstory.com
+32 478 350 763
Jill Zwaans is the proud founder of YACHT STORY with over 20 years of experience in the yacht charter business. The passion for yachting runs in her family as her grandfather built the first Carlo Riva yacht in 1973 and she spent all holidays on her family's sailing yacht. Sailing is part of her life and after collecting several sailing certificates, she became a sailing instructor herself. Today, she is still active in Snipe sailing and Superyacht regattas. Jill started her career as a charter assistant in Monaco for a reputable broker house and she hasn’t missed a Yacht Show since. She completed a Masters degree in Maritime Science and moved to Australia as the Sales & Marketing director for a shipyard, traveling frequently between Australia, North-America and Europe, facilitating luxury motor yacht sales. After spending a summer in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, working for the dealer of the shipyard, she shifted her focus to yacht charters. Jill continued developing her charter broking skills between the French Riviera and London. In 2010 she returned to Belgium with the strong ambition to set-up a charter business in the Benelux for yachts based worldwide. In 2021 she founded Yacht Story with the mission to guide you and shape your travel expectations into unique private yachting escapes to make memories at sea!
AXEL JORIS
Charter Executive and CA
charter@yachtstory.com
+32 471 94 83 41
Axel's grandfather had owned a shipyard in Flanders, which meant that Axel started learning the fundamentals of boat building from a young age. As a passionate sailor he obtained all the certificates necessary allowing him to discover the best sailing holiday locations through his own experience. Axel completed a degree at the De Ruyter Maritime Institute in Vlissingen - Netherlands, which he followed up with a career as a marine officer. After several years aboard cruise vessels and yachts, he traded in the sea for land and joined the YACHT STORY team in Spring 2022. His on-board experience combined with yacht management skills made hiring him as Charter Executive and Central Agent (CA) an obvious decision.
MAURITS DIERICK
Central Agent & Marketing Planner
charter@yachtstory.com
+32 470 97 20 17
As an experienced and popular yacht charter captain, Maurits is the ideal expansion of the YACHT STORY team. With his nautical knowledge and positive 'Can Do' attitude, he has the perfect feel of what yacht owners want and how he can convert their asset into a popular charter vessel. Maurits grew up in Antwerp, Belgium, where a passion for ‘competitive’ sailing and yachting has started. Other than this sailing career, all water sports like windsurfing, kitesurfing, (free) diving, spearfishing, wakeboarding and mono-skiing have always been a yearly activity. Like all of us, Maurits’ job is his passion! This is clear in the personal touch he brings to his work, in his confident manner and meticulous eye to detail when preparing a charter. His technical background drives him to his additional position as Marketing Planner to boost the promotion side of the Yacht Story worldwide fleet.
TOP CHARTERS
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TOP STORIES
2023-09-12 YACHT STORY
Happy Kids, Happy Parents, Happy Holidays!
The Joys of Kid-Friendly Yacht Charters This is your well-deserved vacation, a time to escape the daily grind and create lasting memories with your loved ones. But for parents, the key to a truly happy holiday often lies in the happiness of their ch....
2023-12-18 YACHT STORY
Discover the Wonders of Seychelles by Yacht
Tucked away in the middle of the Indian Ocean lies the Seychelles archipelago, A hidden gem that turns yachting dreams into reality. The incredible beauty and calmness, crystal clear turquoise waters and untouched sandy beaches create a one-of-a-kin....
2023-07-25 YACHT STORY
From Shipwrecks to Underwater Wineries: Get Ready to...
Embarking on a yacht charter in Croatia assures to be a mesmerizing journey. From exploring the ancient walls and charm of Dubrovnik to witnessing the natural beauty of the Plitvice Lakes. But what if we tell you there is more? Explorers have....
2021-10-07 YACHT STORY
The Bahamas Pigs: How Did They Get There?
Have you heard the fascinating and mysterious story of the Bahamas pigs? These non-native animals inhabit a small island that lies south of Nassau. Nobody knows how they ended up on this sandy spit of land, but theories are plentiful. This arti....
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