White Heather is world-class in every regard. From her enviable pedigree
and exciting history to her unsurpassed versatility, White Heather is one of the finest luxury passenger sailing ships ever to be registered in The Netherlands.

Launched in 1952 from the famed Camper and Nicholson Shipyards in Gosport, England, White Heather completed a circumnavigation with her first owner. In 1959 she was gifted to the American Geographical Society and served as an oceanographic vessel.

Since then, White Heather has had owners of great affluence and influence. Many of her years are clouded in mystery, and it is anyone's guess which secret ports of call have seen her fine lines. White Heather has hosted royalty, heads of state and merchant princes in her illustrious career, sailing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic, Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas.

Today White Heather is totally refitted and refurbished. She sports her original composite hull, made of the world's finest aged Burmese teak, on cast steel frames. Restored to her previous beauty, White Heather's period setting is reminiscent of the glamour, imagery and romance of turn-of-the-century sailing.

White Heather is the most luxurious and versatile ship in her class.
Her interior has been meticulously designed with her guests' needs and comforts in mind. White Heather is the definitive host for that very special event.

With two double staterooms and two double cabins, White Heather can sleep up to 8 guests in comfort. There are separate quarters for the ship's six crew members.

Each cabin features air conditioning, hair dryer, stereo system with your choice of music, TV and video set and bathroom with shower. Aft, you can find optimum relaxation in the elegant teak-trimmed double Jacuzzi.

White Heather's beautiful main salon, including a fully stocked, standing wet bar, mood lighting, VCR and video system offers and atmosphere to suit any occasion. Elegant cuisine prepared by our gourmet chef is served here or outside on the beautifully hand crafted
aft deck table which seats twelve.

White Heather's fully certified crew includes a licensed owner/captain, first mate/licensed diving instructor, deckhand/windsurfing instructor, gourmet chef, stewardess and hostess. Together, they provide all the elements of a safe and pleasurable stay aboard this unique yacht.

Scuba diving. Learning how to dive means also learning how to respect nature. White Heather's fully licensed instructor developed special courses for novices and advanced divers. Education for one-, two- and three star (Divemaster) certificates.

Fun and relaxation. Spend your days sailing aboard White Heather; Diving, snorkeling, fishing, water-skiing, windsurfing and dinghy-sailing amongst fabulous reefs, wrecks and islands or simply stretch out on deck and enjoy lazy afternoons soaking up the sun. Choose at night between nightlife ashore or sociable evenings on board with the people whose company you enjoy most.

Privacy and security. Leave all your everyday cares behind you. The privacy and security of your own yacht ensures that your relaxation need never be interrupted. However, for those who cannot leave business behind, there's the reassurance of sophisticated ship to shore communication system.

Comfort and five star service. White Heather is fitted out to the highest specifications with a spacious saloon and comfortable dining areas inside and on deck, as well as luxury cabins with in-suite bathrooms and private sun decks. All air-conditioned throughout. And behind the scenes you have our efficient and professional crew fluent in English, French, Spanish, German and Dutch and devoted to your personal service.

Variety and freedom. Once you have decided where to step aboard White Heather, you can drop anchor in as many different locations as you want. A secluded bay or historical site one day, a fashionable or chic resort the next - and no need to pack or unpack when you decide to move on.

Jan van Grinsven and Eke Marien
captain and crew

Captain/Owner Jan van Grinsven Jan van Grinsven,   Dutch, age 50, has been competitive sailing since he was 12, wanted to become a sailor. He graduated as a Master of Commercial Ocean-going Sailing Vessels at the Enkhuizen Nautical College. He speaks fluent English, German and French. His further interests include running (he was among the Dutch top 20 marathon runners until he reached the age of 45), tennis, hockey, skiing, fishing, music (he plays the harmonica), reading and gourmet food.

Chef de cuisine Eke Marien, Dutch, age 28, has a master's degree in communication science. He financed his studies by working as a cook in various restaurants in Holland. At the time his main hobbies were sailing and travelling. He visited Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Australia and Central America, and lived in the USA for 6 months. In all of these countries he collected mouth-watering local recipes. He completed a special cookery course and worked as a trainee chef in 4 famous Dutch restaurants. He will offer a wide variety of international menus and will constantly surprise you with culinary feasts made from local ingredients. He speaks fluent English and conversational French, German and Spanish. His main leisure interest is reading books on local cooking.
He also likes diving and music and is a good guitarist and singer.

Instructor,  equipment & compressor on board