Captain Sandy Yawn is back at the helm for another exciting installment of Below Deck Mediterranean. This season, our intrepid leader is driving the motor yacht Akira One through the stunning waters of Dubrovnik, Croatia, where a large majority of Game of Thrones was filmed. By Yawn’s side once again are Chief Stew Aesha Scott, Bosun Nathan Gallagher, and Deckhand Joe Bradley. Also joining the department heads this season is Chef Joy Lefaucheur. Scott finally got her wish and has three stews on her interior team: Gen Lillie, Kayley Smith and Kat Johnston. For his part, Gallagher must put aside his issues with former friend Bradley and focus on training his two green deckhands: Cooper Dawson and Luke Brumer.
Yawn had no idea how bad things had gotten between Gallagher and Bradley and personally didn’t like to see Bradley undermine his boss. “Listen, we’re in a professional setting,” said Yawn. “Don’t be catty. Just be honest and have a conversation.” While Yawn maintains that Bradley is an “asset” on deck, she admits that both he and Gallagher have a lot of growing up to do. “When it comes to conflict, Nathan has a temper and Joe really doesn’t,” said Yawn simply. Like the viewers, Yawn hopes the two resolve their issues and revive the “bromance” they once had together. “I want to see them come back together,” said Yawn.
Another familiar face fans will see is former Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier who makes an appearance later this season. “She deserved to come back for a visit,” said Yawn. After their infamous falling out in Season 5, Yawn and Ferrier have resolved their conflict and are now friends again. “It’s honestly been healing,” said Yawn of their reconciliation. “I was able to tell her my side of the story and let her know that I didn’t hate her.” Ferrier was also able to explain her side of the situation, which made Yawn “understand Hannah better.” The two still “stay in touch,” according to Yawn.
Yawn stopped by the DECIDER studio to discuss the new season, dish on the crew, and much more.
DECIDER: Captain Sandy, this season we’re in Croatia and on an entirely different vessel. Which presented you with the better challenge: the new location or the new yacht?
CAPTAIN SANDY YAWN: The yacht, for sure. The bow thruster wasn’t great. I think you might see a little snake-like docking a few times. Maybe by charter three, I get it down. I have no doubt! I believe they did show a bump or something in the trailer [laughs]. Yes, they did and we’ll get into that!
You and Aesha got to spend some time in Croatia before the season began. How did that help you better prepare for the charters?
Yes, and that was my idea, by the way. I like to play, even though you don’t see it a lot on television. I asked Aesha to come early and explore the area on wave runners, and she did. We had a blast, but we did get into trouble. Croatian officials came and chased us away after we went in a certain area. So, we knew to avoid that area when we had guests onboard.
Aesha was at your wedding and you scored a coveted invite to hers. What does your relationship with Aesha mean to you?
She’s like a family member. She is exactly who she is. I just love her. You can’t work with people that closely and not create a bond. We share intimate things about our lives because we’re friends. Aesha will be in my life for the rest of my life.
Aesha has three stews this season, which is something she’s wanted for a long time. But do many hands make light work if egos get in the way?
Well, just watching the trailer, you just go, “what’s happening here?” [Laughs] I think it’s easier for Aesha if she has three stews because Aesha gives great directions. She put cocktail guides out for them. It helped the girls learn how to make the drinks because they didn’t have a lot of experience before. Aesha makes it simple for them. She teaches them. She just doesn’t say here, “go do your job.” She actually educates them and gives them helpful ways to do their jobs the correct way.
I’m not going to lie; I’m a bit intimidated watching Chef Joy on screen. I can’t imagine her presence in the galley. What were your initial thoughts about her?
French [laughs]. I spent a lot of time in France. I once had the French pull out my power cord and say, “you can’t plug in your shore power here.” They just shut our whole boat down without a second thought. I was wondering how that was going to go. The French are great at food. They’re great at pastries. The desserts are incredible. I love the French accents, but Joy… I was on the fence about her, to be honest.
Nathan Gallagher is back as bosun, and he’s struggling from the start. Had you hoped he would have grown since last season?
As far as doing his job on deck, I think Nathan does a great job. He has improved a lot in his abilities. He still has growing to do as we all do, even me. I’m proud of him.
Do you think it was helpful or hurtful for him to have Gael and baby Kayden so close during charter season?
It was helpful for Nathan to have them close by. I can’t imagine leaving your child when they are so young. However, I do think it was a challenge at times for Nathan. If he went to their place to visit, he’s coming back the next day with just a little sleep. Being tired makes it harder to do your job. That makes you a little testier and less patient.
I love watching Joe Bradley on TV, but he didn’t waste any time undermining Nathan’s authority. Did you have any idea how bad the tension was between them?
No, I had no idea. I don’t like that Joe did that. Listen, we’re in a professional setting. Don’t be catty. Just be honest and have a conversation. I always say this to people: “if you’re having a conflict, just have a conversation and agree to disagree and then move on and do your job.” I was disappointed with Joe.
Will we see you give Nathan advice on how to handle a hostile team member this season? Or did he keep the drama between him and the crew?
I want to make one thing clear. Joe’s great on deck. He’s an asset. Joe cares. He’s very good with the guests. He’s very accommodating. I love having him on board. When it comes to conflict, Joe’s very patient. Nathan has a temper and Joe really doesn’t.
What Joe did wasn’t cool, but Nathan has a lot of growth to do when it comes to managing a team. Their issue is between them. I just want to see them do their jobs. I want to see them come back together because they were in a bromance! I still to this day do not know what happened between them.
Besides Jean Luc from Sailing Yacht, Luke and Cooper might be the biggest deckhands I’ve ever seen! What are the advantages and disadvantages to their size?
I don’t think Cooper really fit in his bunk [laughs]. I think Cooper is the tallest of them. He’s a former football player, so you can imagine. The cabins were quite small for them. Though, it was great to have the muscle on deck.
Well, unfortunately, you did have the yacht hit dock during that first docking. Was the loud music from the party boats to blame? Walk me through that moment.
It’s really difficult to hear anything on the radios if there’s loud music or outside noise. Now, I don’t know what Nathan was doing in the back. You should never take your eyes off the task at hand. However, Nathan took it really hard. I tried to stress that it was a mistake and that the damage could be fixed. The good news is we could continue our charter season.
I don’t get upset over things like that. As a captain, if you get upset and angry, that only makes the crew member feel worse. If you’re kind and you’re saying, “it’s okay, we’re not ending our charter season,” then it’s going to be fine. Also, that wasn’t my first time hitting a dock. I had never actually had anything like that happen before Malta [in Season 7]. It’s only twice now [laughs].
Hannah Ferrier returns to Below Deck Med this season! What can you tell me about her appearance on the show?
It was great to have her. Hannah did the first five seasons. She deserved to come back for a visit. Hannah and Aesha did a full charter season together, so they have remained friends. It was wonderful to have her back.
Fans love that you and Hannah have reconciled. What’s been your favorite part about having her back in your life?
It’s honestly been healing. I was able to tell her my side of the story and let her know that I didn’t hate her. It’s just that I wanted Hannah to do her job. Hannah was then able to tell me her side of the situation. There were some things that I didn’t know about that were going on, which made me understand Hannah better. We had a great conversation in Australia. I got to meet her family. I got to bring her on City Cruises Live with me, which was really cool. It’s great being able to stay in touch.
What else can you tease about the rest of the season?
We’re in Dubrovnik! That’s Game of Thrones land! Come on, the season’s going to be epic. You can see in the trailer that the guests have the crew get very involved in a few of the charters, which I think is wonderful. I’m also going to find out a lot when I watch the season along with the viewers. I’m excited to see what the drama below deck exactly was. I just had a great time this season.