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Below Deck Mediterranean’s Sandy Yawn enjoyed her first trip to Australia this week to celebrate the much-anticipated launch of the drama-packed ninth season.
And everyone’s favourite captain has shared some behind-the-scenes secrets of the reality show.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she said she doesn’t find out about much of the goings-on on the superyacht until the show airs because the crew are always on their best behaviour around her.
Sandy admitted she has been particularly shocked by the flirty drama between deckhands Gael and Nathan, who have been growing close in the debut episodes.
In the third episode, the pair tried to sneakily meet away from the cameras before Gael – who is in a relationship with a partner back on shore – was busted by the camera crew.
Below Deck Mediterranean’s Sandy Yawn has revealed what she really thinks of the flirty drama between crew members Gael and Nathan
Sandy confessed she was left stunned by the dramatic turn of events because Gael had always been ‘quiet’ around her.
‘I don’t know what the crew are up to until I watch the season because they’re always on their best behaviour with me,’ she explained.
‘[For example] Gael, I’m like oh my gosh I had no idea! She’s always so quiet and timid, she’s a different girl. They always say it’s the quiet ones.’
Recent scenes saw Gael left in turmoil after trying to sneak off for a canoodle with Nathan away from the cameras as they texted to arrange their secret meet-up.
After getting caught by the camera crew on her way to meet him, she called off their rendezvous, even though he was already waiting for her in the bosun’s locker.
The ninth series has not failed to bring the drama, with Gael – who has a partner on shore – and Nathan being seen trying to sneak off for a rendezvous, before getting caught by the cameras
She admitted to camera: ‘I’m still in a relationship. I feel like I’m having stronger feelings than I need to have in this moment. I need to go to sleep.’
While Nathan added in his confessional: ‘I don’t want to pressure her or push her into making any dumb, stupid decision. I hope I won’t make things awkward, but that’s a risk I will take any time!’
While Below Deck has become known for its drama, Sandy insisted none of the action is scripted and said it reflects what it’s actually like working on the yacht.
‘We’re not scripted reality, [the producers] follow the true stories, it really happens the way you see it,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘There’s a lot of footage but they are able to create an arch of a storyline, which I think is the hook. I think we have the best showrunner, she’s brilliant at that!’
She also hinted there is more drama to come on the show’s ninth series and teased there is one ‘important’ scene that she is hoping will make it back into the final edit.
Sandy, 59, admitted she has been particularly shocked by the flirty drama between the two deckhands Gael and Nathan, who have been seen growing very close in a dramatic twist
Sandy said she doesn’t find out about much of the goings-on on the superyacht until the show airs, because the crew are always on their best behaviour around her
‘I remember, I was with the showrunner and I was telling this story and she said “yeah we cut that out” and I went “why?” and she said “we didn’t have enough”,’ she said.
‘It’s only 45 minutes of show, but I said “put it back in, it’s so important” so they’re going to go back and see if they can put it back in.’
As well as reflecting on the dramatic scenes, Sandy also discussed her role on the show and admitted she never thought ‘in a million years’ that she would star on TV.
She shared: ‘It’s not something I would have sought, I would never have thought to go that route, I never had a desire to be on TV. It’s pretty cool.’
Sandy was the first female captain on the Below Deck franchise and said she feels proud to be able to inspire other women to pursue a career working on superyachts.
She also hinted there is more drama to come on the show’s ninth series and teased there is one ‘important’ scene that she is hoping will make it back into the final edit
When asked how she felt about being the show’s first female captain, she shared: ‘I didn’t think of it that way, I know what I’m doing as a captain, so to me I’m just a captain, my gender shouldn’t matter.
‘But I think it offers hope or inspiration to women who can go “wow, I can do that job?”, it’s really cool. For me, that was the best part.’
The ninth series has also seen the return of beloved Chief Stew Aesha, who left the Mediterranean spin-off after two series and joined the Down Under edition.
But she has now returned to Sandy’s superyacht, and the captain said she is delighted to have her hardworking co-worker and friend back on the crew.
The ninth series has also seen the return of Chief Stew Aesha, who has been featuring on the Down Under edition of the show, and Sandy said she is thrilled to have her back on the crew
Sandy was the first female captain on the Below Deck franchise and said she feels proud to be able to inspire other women to pursue a career working on superyachts
‘How can you not love Aesha? She went off and trained and came back with a mad skillset, she’s killing it,’ she said.
‘I have mad respect for her, and she’s engaged and wants to be there, she’s present and passionate – she has all the elements.’
Sandy had a long career captaining yachts before joining Below Deck, but said she has no plans to step away from the show now and hopes to continue on-screen for years to come.
During her career at sea, Sandy has dealt with many trying situations and recalled how her yacht once had to be rescued by war ships because of an on-board fire and approaching pirates.
Away from Below Deck, Sandy recently tied the knot with her longtime partner Leah Shafer, 50, in a romantic ceremony on a yacht
She recalled: ‘[Before Below Deck], I had a fire in the Red Sea, had to be rescued by warships.
‘The boat caught on fire [and they had to rescue us] because the pirates were on their way. It was right off the coast of Yemen.’
‘They towed us in to a diner, so I spent 13 days there wondering every day, is this the day? Piece of cake,’ she quipped.
Away from Below Deck, Sandy recently tied the knot with her longtime partner Leah Shafer, 50, in a romantic ceremony on a yacht.
Around seven months after popping the question, the pair exchanged vows on May 11, 2024, on-board a luxury yacht, and Sandy shared snaps of the day to Instagram.
Sandy has now reflected on life as a newlywed and admitted her married bliss hasn’t really kicked off yet because she has been away from home promoting Below Deck
Sandy has now reflected on life as a newlywed and admitted her married bliss hasn’t really kicked off yet because she has been away from home promoting Below Deck.
‘I just need to be home to be a part of it! All good so far, because I’m never there, just wait until I get home,’ she admitted.
Sandy also gushed that it was ‘incredible’ that Leah wanted to take her surname Yawn after the nuptials as she reflected on the sweet gesture.
Of the name change, Sandy gushed: ‘Incredible, right? She wanted it, and I was like “I love that”. It was, well, everything’s changed, now she just needs to change her passport.’
Last month, Sandy shared their wedding snaps to Instagram and teased that their special day was filmed as fans will no doubt see more of the nuptials on Below Deck.
The couple had been dating for more than five years when Sandy popped the question during an intimate trip (the proposal is pictured), and they tied the knot less than a year later
She gushed of their wedding in an Instagram caption: ‘On May 11th, 2024 I married the love of my life. I had no idea how amazing marriage could be! It feels incredible and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
‘I love you, Leah Rae Yawn!! Thank you for taking my name! Thank you to our entire family and friends for coming out to show your love and support to our relationship.
‘If you’re wondering, Yes it was filmed. Thank you to our Bravo family. We love you. Stay tuned June 3rd on below deck med. @nadine thank you for marrying us, we love you.’
The couple had been dating for more than five years when Sandy popped the question during an intimate trip, and they tied the knot less than a year later.
