Exploring the Captains of 'Below Deck' Franchise: From Captain Lee to Captain Sandy

Fans of Below Deck have gotten to know several captains over the years, with some leaving a lasting impact more than others.

The show debuted in 2013, shining a light on the luxurious world of yachting along with the challenges faced by the crew behind the scenes. The inaugural season showcased Captain Lee Rosbach and his no-nonsense leadership style.

Ahead of the 10th season of the show, Captain Lee looked back on his Below Deck legacy.

"I haven't really changed the way I run things on my boat. I still believe in running a tight ship, where everyone earns their place based on merit," he shared exclusively with We in November 2022. "If you get your job based on merit, you'll keep it. But if you start lacking in merit, that's when you might find yourself looking for a new job."

Captain Sandy Yawn has a hands-off approach when it comes to setting restrictions for her team. She believes that what her crew members do in their personal lives is their own decision. In an interview with Us in July 2022, she mentioned that if they choose to connect with clients after their time on the vessel, she supports it. Captain Sandy values love and wants everyone to experience it, but she emphasizes that professional boundaries must be maintained.

Scroll down for a guide to every captain in Below Deck history:

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 806

Credit: Bravo (2)

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years: From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy

Over the years, Below Deck fans have gotten to know a variety of captains, with some leaving a bigger impact than others.

Below Deck first aired in 2013, giving viewers a peek into the luxurious world of yachting along with the challenges faced by the crew behind the scenes. The inaugural season featured Captain Lee Rosbach, known for his no-nonsense leadership style.

Captain Lee reflected on his Below Deck legacy as the show's 10th season approached. He mentioned that his way of operating his boat has remained the same over the years. In an exclusive interview with We in November 2022, he emphasized that he still runs a tight ship based on meritocracy. According to Captain Lee, getting and keeping a job on his ship is solely based on merit. If someone lacks merit, it could ultimately lead to losing their job.

Captain Sandy Yawn has a hands-off approach when it comes to setting restrictions for her team. She believes that what her crew members do in their personal lives is their own decision. In July 2022, she shared with Us that if they choose to pursue romantic relationships with clients after they have finished their time on the vessel, she supports them. However, she also emphasizes the importance of maintaining professionalism in a work setting.

Scroll down for a guide to every captain in Below Deck history:

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 806

Credit: Bravo (2)

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years: From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy

Over the years, Below Deck fans have gotten to know various captains, with some leaving a lasting impact.

The show, which first aired in 2013, gives viewers a peek into the luxurious yachting industry and the challenges that the crew face behind the scenes. Captain Lee Rosbach was introduced in the first season, known for his no-nonsense leadership style.

Captain Lee reflected on his Below Deck legacy ahead of the show's 10th season.

In an exclusive interview with We in November 2022, he shared, "I'm not different in the way I operate my boat. I still run a tight ship based on meritocracy. If you get your job based on merit, you keep it based on merit. And if you lack merit, that's when you risk losing your job."

Captain Sandy Yawn believes in giving her team freedom when it comes to their personal lives. She trusts them to make their own decisions, even if it means getting involved with clients after they have left the vessel. In July 2022, she told Us, "I'm all for love. I found love and I want everyone to experience it too, but it's important to maintain professionalism in the workplace."

Scroll down for a guide to every captain in Below Deck history:

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 807

Credit: Laurent Bassett/Bravo

Captain Lee Rosbach

The Below Deck OG, also known as the Stud of the Sea, has been part of the show since it first started in 2013. His main crew members have included chief stew Kate Chastain, bosun Eddie Lucas, chef Rachel Hargrove, and chef Ben Robinson.

During season 8, Captain Lee had to take a break because of health problems. He was also absent in the first episode of season 9.

Lee returned for season 10 of Below Deck but left the charter early in December 2022 due to ongoing mobility issues. Captain Sandy took over for him.

In February 2023, it was revealed by Us that Lee will not be returning for season 11. Captain Kerry will be stepping in to take his place. Lee has since moved on to pursue other opportunities, such as appearing on Oxygen's Deadly Waters.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 806

Credit: Youtube

Captain Sean Meagher

Captain Sean Meagher joined the crew to assist during Captain Lee's absence due to an offscreen injury. He made his appearance in two episodes of season 9 and left once Captain Lee returned to the deck.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 806

Credit: YouTube

Meet Captain Mark Howard

Captain Mark Howard made his debut on Below Deck Mediterranean, bringing viewers to new yachting destinations. He was seen leading the crew on the Ionian Princess, with chief stew Hannah Ferrier and chef Ben by his side. However, in later seasons, Captain Sandy took over the helm.

In December 2021, it was confirmed that the former Below Deck Med star passed away naturally due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The coroner's report also mentioned chronic alcoholism as a contributing factor to his death.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 806

Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo

Captain Sandy Yawn

In season 2 of Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Sandy Yawn stepped in as the leader of the Sirocco yacht during its journey in Croatia. The Florida native has since become a key figure in the show, alongside recurring crew members like Hannah, bosun Malia White, chef Adam Glick, and bosun João Franco.

Sandy faced criticism during season 5 for firing Hannah, a beloved cast member, due to possession of Valium and a CBD vape pen. Despite backlash from fans, Sandy remained firm in her decision.

Viewers were surprised when Sandy filled in for Lee in season 10 of Below Deck, serving as a temporary replacement.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 810

Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo

Captain Glenn Shephard

Following the debut of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Captain Glenn Shephard emerged as the prominent figure of the third Below Deck spinoff. Throughout his tenure on the show, Glenn has consistently relied on chief engineer Colin Macrae, first officer Gary King, and chief stew Daisy Kelliher.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 808

Credit: Laurent Bassett/Bravo

Captain Jason Chambers

Below Deck Down Under, set in Australia, aimed to bring a fresh twist to the Below Deck series by showcasing a new location and introducing a memorable new captain. Captain Jason Chambers quickly captured the hearts of both the crew and viewers with his combination of firmness and friendliness aboard Motor Yacht Thalassa.

In 2019, Captain Jason gained attention when his boat, Superyacht Moatize, was involved in a crash in Northern Queensland. Despite this incident, he is gearing up to make a return for a second season of Below Deck Down Under, accompanied by chief stew Aesha Scott by his side.

A Guide to Every Captain in the 'Below Deck' Franchise Over the Years- From Below Deck's Captain Lee to Below Deck Med's Captain Sandy 809

Credit: Vincent Cerone/Bravo

Meet Captain Kerry Titheradge

Embark on a thrilling journey with Captain Kerry Titheradge in the fourth Below Deck spinoff, as they navigate the breathtaking Fjords of Norway. Joining Kerry in the debut season that aired in November 2022 are chief stew Faye Clarke, talented chef Jessica Condy, and skilled bosun Lewis Lupton.

In February 2023, Us confirmed that Kerry would be taking over Below Deck and he made his debut during season 11. 

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an overview of the various captains who have graced the Below Deck franchise over the years. Each captain brings their unique leadership style and approach to the show, making for a diverse and engaging viewing experience. From Captain Lee Rosbach's no-nonsense demeanor to Captain Sandy Yawn's hands-off approach, the article highlights the different ways in which these captains manage their crews and navigate the challenges of the yachting industry.

However, the article also touches on some of the controversies surrounding certain captains, such as Captain Sandy's decision to fire Hannah Ferrier in season 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean. This incident sparked debates among fans and raised questions about the boundaries between professional and personal conduct in the workplace. It is interesting to note how the show's producers handle such situations and the impact they have on the overall narrative of the series.