Below Deck Mediterranean’s Sandy Yawn enjoyed her first trip to Australia this week to celebrate the long-awaited launch of the drama-filled ninth season.
And everyone’s favorite captain has shared some behind-the-scenes secrets from the reality show.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she said she doesn’t find out much of what happens on the superyacht until the show airs because the crew are always on their best behavior around her.
Sandy admitted that she has been particularly surprised by the flirtatious drama between sailors Gael and Nathan, who have grown closer in the debut episodes.
In the third episode, the pair attempted to meet up furtively away from the cameras before the camera crew arrested Gael, who is in a relationship with a couple on the coast.
Below Deck Mediterranean’s Sandy Yawn has revealed what she really thinks about the flirtatious drama between team members Gael and Nathan.
Sandy confessed that she was stunned by the dramatic turn of events because Gael had always been “calm” with her.
“I don’t know what the team is doing until I see the season because they always behave in the best way with me,” he explained.
‘(For example) Gael, I say: Oh my God, I had no idea! She is always so quiet and shy, she is a different girl. They always say they are the quiet ones.
In recent scenes, Gael was left confused after trying to sneak away to kiss Nathan away from the cameras while they were texting to arrange their secret meeting.
After being caught by the camera crew on her way to meet him, she canceled the date, even though he was already waiting for her at the boatswain’s locker.
Season nine has been full of drama, with Gael, who has a partner on the coast, and Nathan being seen trying to sneak out on a date, before being caught on camera.
She admitted on camera: ‘I’m still in a relationship. I feel like I have stronger feelings than I need to have right now. I need to go to sleep.’
While Nathan added in his confessional: ‘I don’t want to pressure her or force her to make any dumb, stupid decisions. I hope I don’t make things awkward, but it’s a risk I’ll take any time!’
While Below Deck has become known for its drama, Sandy insisted that none of the action is scripted and said it reflects what it’s really like to work on the yacht.
“We’re not scripted reality, (the producers) follow the real stories, it really happens as you see it,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘There’s a lot of imagery, but they’re able to create a story arc, which I think is the hook. I think we have the best showrunner, she’s brilliant at that!’
He also hinted that there will be more drama in the show’s ninth season and teased that there is an “important” scene that he hopes will reappear in the final edition.
Sandy, 59, admitted she was particularly surprised by the flirtatious drama between two sailors Gael and Nathan, who have been seen getting very close in a dramatic turn.
Sandy said she doesn’t find out much of what happens on the superyacht until the show airs, because the crew is always on their best behavior when they’re with her.
‘I remember I was with the showrunner and I was telling this story and she said “yeah, we cut that out” and I was like “why?” and she said “we didn’t have enough,” she said.
“It’s only 45 minutes of the show, but I said ‘play it again, it’s very important’, so they’re going to go back and see if they can play it again.”
As well as reflecting on the dramatic scenes, Sandy also opened up about her role on the show, admitting she never thought “in a million years” she would star on TV.
She shared: “It’s not something I would have looked for, I would never have thought about going down that path, I never had the desire to be on television.” It’s great.’
Sandy was the first captain of the Below Deck franchise and said she is proud to inspire other women to pursue a career working on superyachts.
He also hinted that there will be more drama in the show’s ninth season and teased that there is an “important” scene that he hopes will return to the final cut.
When asked how she felt about being the first captain of the show, she shared, “I didn’t think of it that way, I know what I’m doing as a captain, so to me I’m just a captain, my gender shouldn’t matter.
“But I think it offers hope or inspiration to women who can say, ‘Wow, I can do that job?’ It’s really cool.” “For me, that was the best part.”
Season nine also saw the return of beloved Chief Stew Aesha, who left the Mediterranean spin-off after two series and joined the Down Under edition.
But now she’s back on Sandy’s superyacht and the captain said she’s thrilled to have her hard-working co-worker and friend back on the crew.
Season nine also saw the return of Chief Stew Aesha, who appeared on the Down Under edition of the show, and Sandy said she’s thrilled to have her back on the team.
Sandy was the first female captain in the Below Deck franchise and said she is proud to inspire other women to pursue a career working on superyachts.
‘How can you not love Aesha? “She left, trained and came back with a crazy skill set, she’s killing it,” she said.
“I have great respect for her, she is committed and wants to be there, she is present and passionate; she has all the elements.”
Sandy had a long career as a yacht captain before joining Below Deck, but said she has no plans to step away from the show now and hopes to continue on screen for years to come.
During her career at sea, Sandy has faced many difficult situations and remembers how her yacht once had to be rescued by warships due to a fire on board and the arrival of pirates.
Away from Below Deck, Sandy recently married his longtime partner, Leah Shafer, 50, in a romantic ceremony on a yacht.
She recalled: ‘(Before Below Deck), I had a fire in the Red Sea, I had to be rescued by warships.
‘The ship caught fire (and they had to rescue us) because the pirates were on their way. She was just off the coast of Yemen.
‘They towed us to a restaurant, so I spent 13 days there wondering every day: is this the day? Piece of cake,’ she joked.
Away from Below Deck, Sandy recently married his longtime partner, Leah Shafer, 50, in a romantic ceremony on a yacht.
About seven months after popping the question, the couple exchanged vows on May 11, 2024, aboard a luxury yacht, and Sandy shared snaps from the day on Instagram.
Sandy has now reflected on life as a newlywed and admitted that her marital bliss hasn’t begun yet because she’s been out and about promoting Below Deck.
Sandy has now reflected on life as a newlywed and admitted that her marital bliss hasn’t begun yet because she’s been out and about promoting Below Deck.
‘I just need to be home to be a part of this! So far so good, because I’m never there, just wait until I get home,’ she admitted.
Sandy also gushed that it was “amazing” that Leah wanted to take her last name Yawn after the nuptials as she reflected on the sweet gesture.
Of the name change, Sandy gushed: ‘Amazing, right? She wanted it and I said, “I love it.” It was, well, everything has changed, now she just needs to change her passport.’
Last month, Sandy shared her wedding snaps on Instagram and teased that her special day was filmed, as fans will no doubt see more nuptials on Below Deck.
The couple had been dating for more than five years when Sandy popped the question during an intimate trip (the proposal is pictured) and they tied the knot less than a year later.
She gushed about her wedding in an Instagram caption: ‘On May 11, 2024 I married the love of my life. I had no idea how wonderful marriage could be! It feels amazing and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
‘I love you, Leah Rae Yawn!! Thank you for taking my name! Thank you to all of our family and friends for coming to show your love and support for our relationship.
‘If you’re wondering, yes, it was filmed. Thanks to our Bravo family. We love you. Stay tuned on June 3 at the Below Deck Medical Center. @nadine, thank you for marrying us, we love you.’
The couple had been dating for more than five years when Sandy popped the question during an intimate trip and they tied the knot less than a year later.