Captain Kerry Reflects on Regrettable Promotion of Ben Willoughby in 'Below Deck' Season 11 Finale

'Below Deck' Season 11 Finale Ends With Captain Kerry Having Regrets About Promoting Ben Willoughby

Ben Willoughby and Kerry Titheradge Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Captain Kerry Titheradge from Below Deck expressed regret about promoting Ben Willoughby to bosun by the end of season 11. During the season finale on May 28, Ben attempted to reconcile after disobeying Kerry. In the previous episode, Kerry discovered that Ben and deckhand Kyle Stillie were insubordinate for not cleaning their rooms during a cabin inspection.

Kerry expressed his disappointment towards the exterior team for not showing him the respect he believes he deserves. Despite his hard work to assist them, he felt that their response was not appreciative at all. In a confessional, Kerry expressed his feelings, labeling their behavior as disrespectful and not following the chain of command.

The captain, Kerry, specifically addressed Ben's behavior, noting that he had given Ben the chance to take on a leadership role which he believed Ben was not fulfilling. Kerry reminded Ben of his position as the bosun and emphasized the importance of taking responsibility. He instructed Ben to go sort out his room and warned of consequences if he failed to do so.

Kyle, on the other hand, said he was confused by Kerry's idea of a cabin inspection. He explained, "We just never got to it. It's really messed up." Kyle then made a joke for the cameras, saying, "In my experience, cabin inspections mean hiding drugs. To me, my cabin is spotless."

Ben initially defended his decision in the penultimate episode, but later he felt remorse for going against the chain of command.

He expressed, "I've never been in such hot water or trouble in yachting before. I think he is perceiving this as a disrespectful gesture. However, with our busy schedule, it wasn't a top priority for me. I may have acted differently if I cared more. But after reflecting on it, I believe I owe Captain Kerry an apology. Ultimately, even though I may have managed the vessel differently, he is the captain, so apologizing is the right thing to do."

Ben then apologized to Kerry, acknowledging his wrongdoing from the previous night. He expressed regret for upsetting Kerry and admitted that they were in the wrong. Kerry, in turn, tried to explain his reasons for the inspection.

"If someone can't follow my orders when things are easy, what is going to happen if there's a fire and I tell you to get the hose and fight it? Hugely disappointed," he replied. "But I appreciate you coming up and talking to me. That means a lot. I hope this is a learning experience for you."

Kerry added, "It takes a lot of courage to grow. For Ben to dig deep and apologize wholeheartedly and take responsibility, it takes a lot. And for that I commend him."

'Below Deck' Season 11 Finale Ends With Captain Kerry Having Regrets About Promoting Ben Willoughby

Kerry Titheradge Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Later in the episode, Kerry and Ben reunited as the charter season wrapped up. Ben thought they ended on a good note but Kerry’s confessional revealed a shift.

Kerry shared, "I had high hopes for Ben this season. I initially saw him as a great bosun candidate, but now I have doubts. Hopefully, he can take this as a learning experience, improve himself, and make better choices in the future."

Ben experienced significant changes in season 11 when he was promoted from lead deckhand to bosun following Jared Woodin's dismissal by Kerry. Ben shared with We that his dynamic with Kerry evolved the most during the season.

In March, Ben revealed that Captain Kerry has a more authoritative and military approach, which was a learning curve for him. This style of leadership did not align with Ben's preferred approach, leading to some friction between them. Viewers can expect to see some of this tension play out on screen.

Ben expressed his dissatisfaction with the new episodes of Below Deck on social media. During a fan Q&A on Instagram, he mentioned that he used to love the show but feels that too much is left unseen. He admitted to not enjoying the current season due to various reasons and stated that he never wanted to return to St. David under those circumstances.

Below Deck's Ben Willoughby That His 1st Dock Departure as Bosun Might Have Been 'Illegal'

Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Ben shared that season 11 of the show took an unexpected turn for him. He mentioned that reality TV is not easy and expressed his hope that the audience can see how people are edited to fit a certain storyline. Ben believes that there is an agenda to gain attention and viewership through editing. Despite this, he values the experience as he has met many wonderful people. Ben also mentioned his disappointment in how much is left out of the final aired episodes.

On the other hand, Kerry has chosen not to address Ben's negative comments about their relationship publicly. Instead, he opted to end the season on a positive note.

Kerry, who took over for Captain Lee Rosbach on this season of Below Deck, admitted during Tuesday's finale that she knew she had a tough act to follow. She reflected on the ups and downs of the experience, acknowledging the challenges she faced. Despite the difficulties, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity and described it as an unforgettable adventure.

You can catch Below Deck season 11 now on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

Ben Willoughby's promotion to bosun proved to be a turning point in Captain Kerry Titheradge's perception of him. Initially optimistic, Kerry's confidence waned as Ben's leadership skills fell short. Ben's insubordination and lack of respect for the chain of command ultimately led Kerry to question his suitability for the role. Despite Ben's apology, Kerry remained skeptical, expressing doubts about his ability to grow and improve.

The article highlights the challenges faced by both Ben and Kerry in navigating their evolving dynamic. Ben struggled to adapt to Kerry's more authoritative leadership style, while Kerry found it difficult to reconcile Ben's past performance with his potential for growth. The tension between them serves as a reminder of the complexities of command and the importance of mutual respect in any professional relationship.