services

OUR TEAM


services

OUR TEAM


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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!

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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.

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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

TOP DESTINATIONS

TOP STORIES

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2023-05-16   YACHT STORY

Unforgettable yachting routes in the Greek archipelago


Embarking on a week-long yachting charter in the Greek Archipelago is a perfect way to explore the stunning islands and immerse yourself in the vibrant Mediterranean culture. With its azure waters, picturesque landscapes, and rich history, Greece off....

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2022-02-14   YACHT STORY

Whiskey and Sailing: A Great Combination on the West...


Have you ever explored the magnificent coast of Scotland on a luxury yacht?  Click here for a dreamy eight-day sailing itinerary for cruising along the Scottish coast. Are you ready for a week filled with sailing, exploring and if you are a whi....

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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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2022-03-22   YACHT STORY

Corsica and Sardinia, the Perfect Combination for Yo...


Looking for the perfect place for your yacht charter? Discover all the secrets that Southern Corsica and Northern Sardinia have to hold for your next summer charter.  Did you know that Sardinia welcomes over three million vi....