Captain Lee's Surprising Regret Over Firing a 'Below Deck' Crew Member Revealed

Captain Lee Reveals Only Person He Regrets Firing on 'Below Deck': ‘Not for the Reason You Might Think’

Captain Lee Rosbach. Rich Polk/Bravo

Captain Lee Rosbach has few regrets from his time on Below Deck. However, there is one person he wishes he hadn't let go. During an episode of "Amy and T.J." podcast, Lee, 74, mentioned that he fired everyone who deserved it, with the most being four in one season. But there is only one person he fired that he regrets, although not for the reasons you might expect.

Lee mentioned Andrew Sturby from season 2 as the only crew member he regrets letting go.

The captain remembered how Andrew had exaggerated on his resume, essentially lying. Despite being a nice kid who put in a lot of effort, Lee felt that Andrew was never going to grasp the necessary skills to work on a mega yacht.

Lee expressed his feelings, saying "He did have a good heart." He then explained to Andrew that he was unable to take the risk of training him properly due to time constraints. In reality, Lee felt that even with unlimited time, Andrew would never understand.

Captain Lee Reveals Only Person He Regrets Firing on 'Below Deck': ‘Not for the Reason You Might Think’

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Despite wishing Andrew’s time on Honor ended differently, Lee stood behind his other onscreen firings.

Lee expressed regret over one particular incident, but enjoyed many others on the show. He found satisfaction in serving justice to those who deserved it without feeling any remorse.

When Andrew joined the show in 2014, his abilities as a deckhand were questioned. He displayed a lack of basic boat knowledge, such as not knowing that portholes should not be opened while at sea.

Andrew eventually confessed to Lee that he had embellished his resume and did not have any prior experience working on yachts. Despite being given an opportunity to demonstrate his skills, he was unable to meet expectations, leading to his dismissal by the captain.

"I wasn't surprised when the crew decided it was best for me to leave. I would have made the same choice if I were in their shoes," Andrew shared with BravoTV during a 2014 interview. "The Ohana [boat] was not the ideal environment for someone inexperienced in physically demanding jobs to gain experience. The workload was overwhelming, and there was little time to adjust and learn the ropes. In hindsight, if I had been less anxious, I might have been able to adapt more quickly."

Andrew is not the only one whose resume was questioned on the reality show. In a recent season of Below Deck Mediterranean, viewers met bosun Ruan Irving, who had submitted a medical license that was marked as “not certified.”

While waiting for his actual documents to arrive, Captain Sandy Yawn discovered that Ruan’s Yachtmasters had a photo of someone else attached to it. Ruan assured that he would resolve the paperwork problems, but he never returned.

After the episode aired, Sandy shared on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in October 2023 that she believed Ruan was aware that his documents were forged. During the aftershow, when asked by a fan, she mentioned that she had not spoken with him and that she would not consider working with him in the future.

Editor's P/S:

Captain Lee Rosbach's regretful decision to fire Andrew Sturby from Below Deck Season 2 highlights the importance of honesty and transparency in the workplace. Andrew's exaggerated resume and lack of yachting experience ultimately hindered his ability to perform effectively and created a safety risk on the vessel. Captain Rosbach's decision to prioritize the safety of the crew and guests over personal feelings was a responsible and necessary one, even if it was a difficult choice.

The incident also underscores the challenges faced by employers when hiring candidates with questionable credentials. While it's not always easy to verify resumes, it's crucial to conduct thorough background checks and ask probing questions during interviews to minimize the risk of hiring individuals who are not qualified or who may pose a threat to the organization. By holding prospective employees accountable for providing accurate information and ensuring that they possess the necessary skills and experience, employers can create a more productive and safe work environment for all.