Truth revealed: The captains of the reality TV series “Below Deck” are all under the direction of the producers in everything, including firing crew members.
Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean has disclosed who helps decide whether someone can be fired on the show. The Bravo show is famous for featuring demanding charter guests and dramatic crew members, leading to some unrealistic situations. It has led Below Deck viewers to question the authenticity of the show and speculate about the extent of the producer’s influence in creating dramatic moments. Viewers have pointed out interesting mistakes and editing errors that suggest producer interference. Some have even criticized Captain Sandy for being too lenient, prompting speculation about the extent of producers’ involvement in her decision-making process.
Sandy recently spoke with Newsweek and revealed she didn’t make the decision to fire a crew member without consulting her lawyer. She said, “every decision I’ve ever had to make, with production, going to sea, leaving the dock—in that case, drugs—I call my attorney.” Referring to her decision to fire Hannah Ferrier in Below Deck Mediterranean season 5, Sandy explained, “he goes, ‘fire her now. It’s being filmed, God forbid something happened.'” Sandy follows her lawyer’s guidance to avoid any legal issues. She emphasized that it took her years to obtain her “maritime license,” which is a federal license with the United States government, so she takes decisions regarding the yacht and her crew members very seriously.
What Captain Sandy Deferring To Her Lawyer Means For Below Deck
Sandy Is Fully Committed To Her Role As Captain
While speculation suggests that Below Deck producers influenced Sandy’s decision to fire an employee, which is likely to make the season more dramatic and entertaining, they don’t override her decisions. Sandy is aware that her role isn’t just to be an entertaining cast member of the Below Deck franchise, but as a responsible captain at sea, where situations can quickly escalate. While fans watch the show for entertainment, Sandy doesn’t take her responsibilities lightly or prioritize creating drama. She’s extra cautious when it comes to safety, both herself, her crew members, and the charter guests.
After this revelation, Below Deck viewers will now watch the spin-off in a new light, as they now know that producers don’t play a crucial role in a crew member’s dismissal. Sandy consults her lawyer before terminating an employee, acting only when there is solid proof that they have truly endangered the yacht and its occupants. It now appears that Hannah’s firing was not a simple decision for Sandy; she didn’t dismiss her merely to assert her authority in the franchise, but rather to ensure the safety of her other crew members.
Our Take On Captain Sandy’s Lawyer Making The Final Call On Who To Fire
Sandy Leaves No Room For Safety Concerns
Sandy is one of the few women in the yachting industry and the only captain in the Below Deck franchise, so it is understandable that she takes her job very seriously and doesn’t tolerate problematic crew members.
While some viewers may believe she could be a better captain with a stronger authoritative presence and less leniency, her recent revelation suggests that she’s already intelligent and pragmatic. This new insight allows viewers to reconsider all the crew firings the captain has done and interpret the actions of those Below Deck Mediterranean crew members in a different light.
Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.
