Shocking Scandal on 'Below Deck': Captain Lee Breaks Silence on Luke and Laura's Despicable Consent Controversy!

Captain Lee Rosbach. Charles Sykes/Bravo

Captain Lee Rosbach expresses deep regret over the detrimental conduct that led to the dismissal of Luke Jones and Laura Bileskalne during season 2 of Below Deck Down Under. "I am appalled by their actions," says the 73-year-old captain during an exclusive interview with We. "Both individuals are accountable for their reprehensible behavior, and it is only right that they face long-lasting consequences for it."

Luke, 32, faced backlash during consecutive episodes of the Bravo series on Monday, August 7, when he entered Margot Sisson's bed unclothed after the yacht lost power. Producers intervened after Luke attempted to make advances toward Margot, leading to him being relocated to a hotel and subsequently dismissed by Captain Jason Chambers the following day.

"We experienced an incident last night, and I want to emphasize that this is a setting where we honor mutual respect. Our cabins serve as our sanctuary. That door signifies our boundary," Jason informed the crew. "That door should not be opened unless there is mutual agreement. Invading someone else's room without consent, especially in an inappropriate manner, is where I draw the line."

Luke was not the only crew member who was fired on Monday's episode. Laura also faced consequences for defending Luke's actions, which led to Chief Stew Aesha Scott informing Jason about Laura's own inappropriate behavior with Adam Kodra. After Adam confirmed feeling uncomfortable around her, Laura was also dismissed. (She has since apologized to both Adam and Margot.)

Lee, who watched the episode as a viewer, expresses his admiration for the production, Captain Jason, and Chief Stew Aesha for staying composed and handling the incident calmly. He believes that Jason made the right decision and admits that he is not sure if he could have remained composed in the same situation.

Lee expresses gratitude for never experiencing a similar conflict during his own charters, acknowledging that he might not have had the composure displayed by Captain Jason. Lee admires Jason's ability to step up and handle the situation effectively, recognizing the immense responsibility that comes with being a captain.

Aesha and Jason have garnered extensive support on social media since the episodes aired, due to their handling of the incident – a sentiment that Lee fully agrees with. "The fans' reaction is understandable and their commendation extends not only to the production team but also to Aesha and Captain Jason," he states. "They all demonstrated accountability and took swift action without allowing the situation to escalate. They did not brush it under the rug or try to conceal it. They handled it appropriately."

Regarding Margot and Adam, Lee offers them his complete support. "I have only the best wishes for Margot and Adam. I deeply respect them and I genuinely feel sorry for both of them as they did not deserve to be put in that situation," he shares with Us.

Lee had been a consistent presence on the original Below Deck series ever since it first aired in 2013. However, to the surprise of both him and the audience, he decided to leave the show before season 11. He shared with Us in May that the decision completely caught him off guard, as the network did not provide a specific explanation for their choice.

Luke Jones and Laura Bileskalne. Bravo (2)

Lee remembered being informed about his departure with the phrase "We would like to go in a different direction." However, he found it to be a commonly used cliché employed when someone is being let go. He believed that phrases like "freshen it up a little" and "move in a new direction" had become tired and overused.

During season 10 of Below Deck, Lee initially left to address his health issues. He was temporarily replaced by Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean, but later returned to complete the charter season. In February, it was revealed by Us that Captain Kerry Titheradge from Below Deck Adventure would be taking over for Lee in season 11.

Bravo announced in July that Captain Lee and former Chief Stew Kate Chastain would co-host a new show called Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate. The show, which premieres on Monday, August 14, will focus on breaking down the network's biggest TV moments each week. Although Lee hasn't ruled out a return to the Below Deck franchise, he emphasizes the importance of feeling wanted in whatever role he takes on.

Below Deck Down Under airs back-to-back episodes on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.

Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate premieres on Bravo Monday, August 4 at 10 p.m. ET.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).