Heesen Yachts has announced the passing of its beloved and esteemed founder, Frans Heesen with profound sorrow. He passed away peacefully in his hometown of Oss on April 23, 2025, and is survived by his beloved wife Petra, children and grandchildren.
Frans’ visionary courage, leadership, and exceptional ability to identify and nurture talent have been fundamental key factors in Heesen Yachts’ success and growth. He truly embodied the Dutch spirit of courage and bravery, taking bold and often audacious steps to define his shipyard’s future. A true testament to this visionary approach was his taking the brave decision to embark on the challenge of building Octopussy, the ambitiously groundbreaking yacht which many said couldn’t be built. Commissioned by American entrepreneur John Staluppi who dreamed of having the fastest luxury megayacht in the world, Octopussy was constructed from aluminum and stretched a full 44 meters from bow to stern, and named after the iconic James Bond film starring the late, great Sir Roger Moore. In spite of the immense risks involved, including the chance that the shipyard may face its demise if the yacht didn’t achieve its 50 knot target speed, Frans’ unyielding determination and faith in his team ensured that Octopussy triumphed in the end. She eventually hit a top speed of 53.2 knots, not only delighting her owner but also propelling Heesen to global renown as a builder of big, fast yet luxurious yachts with a bright future.
Frans’ entire life was dedicated to the shipyard that bore his name, making it feel more like a family than a business. Even after it was acquired by Dutch entrepreneur Laurens Last earlier this year, this warm atmosphere cultivated by Frans endured strongly, with the values and sense of family that he instilled continually defining Heesen’s identity.
Frans’ achievements and contributions have truly left an eternal mark on the yachting industry and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him, by constantly pushing the boundaries forward and reimagining what’s possible. We at The Grid Asia would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. His incredible presence will be profoundly missed but never forgotten, with his visionary spirit forever remaining as a guiding force at Heesen Yachts.
