We shared a drink and a trip down memory lane, recalling Heesen’s start in the industry. First came his purchase of the yard, which was then building aluminum sport-fishermen under the Stryker name, and then the formation of Diaship for building fast motoryachts, which was my first brush with the imposing yet affable Dutchman. Soon thereafter, he made the provident decision to take full control and put his own name on the yachts he was building, and the results have been remarkably successful. The yard has grown to encompass nearly 500,000 square feet and has built more than 150 yachts. Today many of these vessels are designed on standard platforms, but nevertheless, each one is a true custom creation suited to the desires of her owner.