Exclusive: Ben Willoughby Shares Humorous Anecdote About His First Bosun Duties on Below Deck

Ben Willoughby from Below Deck faced a challenging task when he took over for Jared Woodin. He still has concerns about the deck crew's initial departure under his leadership as bosun.

"This charter is the longest one we've had all season, lasting four days. With Jared no longer with us, we are short-staffed, but I believe we can handle it. However, it's quite unusual for us to start a charter with a missing crew member," Ben shared exclusively with We. "Currently, we only have two deck members on the boat, while Sunny Marquis is on the tender. This situation seems questionable to me, and I'm not sure if it's even allowed by regulations."

It wasn’t easy for the reality star when stew Cat Baugh left shortly after Jared. He mentioned that the interior team was supposed to help with tasks like cleaning up the crew mess and taking on some duties from the deck team due to being short-staffed. However, now they have to handle even more responsibilities within their own department.

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

Ben Willoughby. Fred Jagueneau/Bravo

Ben expressed his frustration about the unequal playing field due to having two crew members down during the biggest charter. He mentioned how emotions were running high and described the whole experience as something he wouldn't want to go through again.

In the episode aired on Monday, March 18, Captain Kerry Titheradge decided to let Jared go and promoted Ben to fill the vacancy. The crew faced another change when Cat requested to leave the yacht to attend to personal matters. Despite being short-staffed, Ben smoothly transitioned into the bosun role, even though he wasn't initially offered the position.

"I was initially quite surprised not to be the bosun because I had worked in that role on other vessels between seasons. It was a smooth transition for me. When I was asked to step back to the lead deckhand position, I had to hold back my thoughts and see how things were being managed."

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

Ben initially found it challenging to adjust to the situation, especially in the early stages. He felt that the odds were against them with Jared leading the way, which was disheartening for him. Ben admitted that he was close to the breaking point, feeling frustrated and ready to quit. Despite his inner turmoil, he tried to maintain a professional demeanor, although the urge to walk away was strong.

The tension between Ben and Jared was obvious during season 11. Ben felt that there was a sense of competition between them. He believed that Jared could have utilized his knowledge and experience to their advantage on the boat. However, Ben sensed that Jared was trying to assert his authority over him, which made him feel frustrated. Despite trying to hold back his frustrations, Ben was prepared to leave the boat as he foresaw their failure. And as expected, their relationship did not end well.

Ben mentioned that one of the advantages of taking over for Jared was the opportunity to learn from his mistakes.

He expressed his satisfaction with Jared's initial efforts, stating, "I was very pleased that he had the first run at it and I could sort of see what was going on." Ben appreciated the chance to observe and understand how to handle the situation, Kerry's expectations, and particularly how to navigate docking scenarios. He noticed Jared's struggles in these situations, which motivated him to be well-prepared and perform at his best.

Below Deck season 11 airs on Bravo Mondays at 9 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

Editor's P/S:

Ben Willoughby's transition into the bosun role on Below Deck has been marked by challenges and frustrations. The departure of Jared Woodin and Cat Baugh left the deck crew short-staffed, leading to an unequal distribution of responsibilities. Ben has expressed concerns about the legality of operating with such a small crew and the impact it has on the workload of the remaining members. Despite his initial hesitation, Ben has taken on the leadership role with professionalism and a willingness to learn from his predecessor's mistakes. The tension between Ben and Jared during season 11 highlights the complexities of power dynamics within the crew hierarchy, with Ben feeling overshadowed by Jared's authority. Ben's ability to overcome these obstacles and maintain a positive attitude reflects his dedication to the job and his resilience in the face of adversity.

The short-staffing issue has created a ripple effect throughout the crew, with the interior team being forced to take on additional responsibilities beyond their own duties. This has led to high emotions and a sense of unfairness among the members. Despite the challenges, Ben has remained committed to ensuring the success of the charter and the safety of the guests. His determination and ability to adapt under pressure demonstrate his leadership qualities and his commitment to the profession.