In July 2013, the original series aired. It documented the day-to-day lives of crew while on charter yachts. Bravo announced that the original season had averaged more than 1 million viewers per episode. It was easy to decide to expand into two additional series, Below Deck Mediterranean, and Below deck Sailing Yacht.
Each season has seen the crew members’ personal lives cross over into their work lives. This has led to many dramas including breakups and firings, as well as shocking reality TV romances. After six seasons of being on the ocean, long-time Below deck host Kate Chastain declared that she would be returning to dry land.
After months of reflection and internal discussions, it was decided that I would make a year-long transition in order to create a new land-based position. As a senior member, I will be retiring and working to be financially independent. However, I will continue to support His Majesty Andy Cohen.” she teased via Instagram after she retired from her role as reality TV royalty.
Chastain acknowledged seven months later that she may not be ready to say goodbye forever.
“I don’t know that Summer House is something I want to do,” she said during a September 2020 tell all interview. “I would love the opportunity to be a New York Housewife, just because Sonja (Morgan)_ is all I have. Sonja [Morgan] is a national treasure that must be protected at all cost. I would like to be Sonja’s intern for one day. This is something I have on my bucket list. The full experience is what I want. She is my love, and I would do anything for her.”
Some cast members have left on the terms they prefer, while others were forced to make that decision. Season 5 of Below deck Mediterranean saw the departure of chief stewardess Hannah Ferrier who was accused by a colleague of having Valium aboard her yacht. E! was informed by Captain Sandy Yawn after the drama had ended. News that she had “no regrets about being fired.”
She said, “Imagine you were walking in my shoes. It was difficult.” “The maritime industry is held to a certain standard… My No. The client is my number one priority.”
Anastasia Surmava
Surmava, who had previously served as both a third-stem and a chef on Bravo’s Third Stew, stayed on Bravo as a cast member of Below Deck Galley Talk with Alex Radcliffe. With her former chief stew Ferrier, the Georgia native helped to cofound Ocean International Training Academy.
Surmava was engaged to Will Higginson in March 2022.
Brooke Laughton
Laughton was the second stewardess aboard the Talisman Maiton superyacht as part of season 3 of below Deck: Mediterranean in 2018. Joao Franco was her lover, but she and Laughton split up before the reunion special was taped. While living in Dubai, the yachty co-founded the Nauti Boatie Coach, which trains crews. Acclaimed Casting was founded by Laughton in January 2021. In January 2020, Laughton was made an Instagram official by Ingmar, a Dutchman. While in Italy, the duo were engaged in July 2021.
Ben Robinson
After season 4, 2016, the Bellow deck crew was left behind, and the U.K. native decided to take some time off from the ocean to start his catering business. He is also a Certified Coach in Health Coaching and specializes on weight loss, addiction prevention, and cancer care. Robinson brought his charm back to below Deck Mediterranean and has appeared in a few episodes since 2016.
Adam Glick
After bowing out from the reality series in 2018, the chef created drama for two seasons of Below deck Mediterranean. He also spent time traveling through the United States with his dog, Tex. “I drove across the country five more times. “I’ve been cooking outside over a campfire, really dialing in what makes my happy as a chef,” he said to Bravo’s Day in February 2020. He will then return for the first season on Below Deck Sail Yacht.
Kate Chastain
In February 2020, the Florida native confirmed via Instagram that she would be returning to shore after six seasons of below Deck. She said that she felt 37-1/2 years old and that she didn’t feel 38 at 38. Watch What Happens with Andy Cohen six month later. She spent the majority of the coronavirus pandemics in Florida and has been enjoying the quiet time with Halo, her dog.
Hannah Ferrier
After being accused by another deckhand of having Valium aboard, Ferrier was fired from Below Deck Mediterranean during an episode of in August 2020. In June 2020, the Australian announced that she was pregnant with her first child with her then-boyfriend Josh Roberts. They welcomed Ava into the world in October that year. The couple announced their engagement the next month. They were married in March 2022.
Ashton Pienaar
He was caught in a tug line and was dragged into water by a cameraman. In season 7, he was back as a bosun. Pienaar, who was a star on Bravo’s series, has since taken up fitness coaching through his company AP Elite.
Ross Inia
After the season 6 finale 2019, the former bosun was released from the Below deck crew. In December 2018, he was taken into custody for disorderly alcohol and battery at West Palm Beach, Florida. He also spoke out about the “big mistake” that occurred during the season 6 reunion. It was me and a few of my friends having a night out. That’s all I can tell you. He said that he couldn’t elaborate further.
Courtney Skippon
The Canadian and deckhand Brian de Saint Pern had a boat-mance during season 7. However, their relationship ended at the end. She’s been in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic and has been spending some time at home in Canada, taking a much-needed rest from yachting.
