 When Gabriel Milan was appointed governor in 1684, Heins accompanied him to the West Indies, and would succeed him in the event of his death (after Niels Lassen who was the direct successor).When Milan's rule fell into disfavor with the Danish administration in 1686 and he was removed from office, he gave the charge of the fortress to Heins.However, Mikkel Mikkelsen of the Danish party was the official governor until 29 June 1686 when official charge of the islands was given to Heins.