Although bosun Nathan Gallagher and deckhand Joe Bradley have had their differences on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11, they briefly put all of that aside when Joe received shocking news about his mother’s health during Episode 2.
“My mom’s got breast cancer,” Joe tearfully confessed to Nathan as they sat along the dock in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Nathan hugged him, and told him, “I’m sorry, bro.”
It all started when Joe received a voice memo from his mother after the first charter ended, and stepped off the boat to listen. “Hi son. I want you to listen to me. I went for a mammogram. It’s cancer,” his mother told him. “I’m fine. I’m gonna fight it. I’m your mom, and I’m [not] going anywhere. I love you.”
Joe immediately called his sister, Indi, and told her and Nathan: “I can get a flight today. I don’t care.” But his sister told him to stay put on M/Y Akira One. “The first thing she said to me was, ‘Make sure he finishes.’ When they know the start date of the treatment, I’m gonna be there,” his sister reassured him.
Joe received the same message when he called his mother. “I’m going nowhere son,” she declared to him. “I do not want you to come back. I want you to stay. Because you can’t do anything here.”
How Captain Sandy Yawn comforted Joe Bradley after he learned of his mom’s cancer diagnosis
Captain Sandy Yawn also rushed to comfort Joe after he learned of his mother’s cancer diagnosis during the Below Deck Med June 15 episode.
“This is devastating news, he’s very close to his mom,” Sandy shared with producers. “When you hear the word ‘cancer,’ all you can hear is that word. People who work on a boat is crew. Yes of course we have a job to do, we have charters to do. But we’re still human. And I care deeply for them.”
What to Know About Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11
Season 11 of Below Deck Mediterranean is officially underway and already making waves! New episodes air Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock.
Rocking the boat under Captain Sandy Yawn this season are chief stew Aesha Scott, bosun Nathan Gallagher, chef Joy Lefaucheur, stews Gen Lillie, Kayley Smith, and Kat Johnston; and deckhands Joe Bradley, Cooper Dawson, and Luke Brumer. Read each crew member’s bio. here.
As for what’s to come aboard the sleek new M/Y Akira One, Below Deck Med fans can expect to see clashes between former friends Nathan and Joe, Aesha balancing her youngest stew team yet with wedding planning, and appearances from Gael Cameron, Hannah Ferrier, and more.
Want to watch in style? Check out exclusive Shop by Bravo merch.
As Sandy hugged Joe on the dock, she told him about her friend who’s a breast cancer surgeon at Johns Hopkins University. Later, Sandy brought Joe in on a call with the doctor.
“I’m so grateful for the fact that Captain Sandy gave us this contact, that could comfort not only my mom, but me,” Joe shared with producers. “It’s quite reassuring.”
He later became emotional when describing his mother’s importance to him. “This is my mom. This is my everything. The pain in her voice, when I can’t help—“ he admitted, before breaking down in tears. Later he explained, “I care a lot for my mom. Like, she raised me, my younger sister and my older brother as a single mother. My mom would work three jobs just to get by.”
Joe’s news also caused Sandy to open up about her own cancer diagnosis in 2015. “Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. And my whole world stopped. It’s a hard thing to process,” she shared with producers.
She added her desire to be a rock for Joe during this time. “I wanted my friends and family to be strong for me, and to give me hope. He needs to be a sense of light and strength for her. I know that means everything,” she said.
Nathan Gallagher puts his differences with Joe Bradley aside amid his mom’s health news
Nathan shared how Joe’s family news caused a shift in their lingering feud during the June 15 episode. “I feel like your differences go aside when you can see someone that upset,” he admitted. “I’ve gone through it with my mom as well…all the bulls—t aside, I actually care for someone that used to be my friend.”
Bravo Fan Fest 2026: What to Know
Bravo Fan Fest is back! This year, the exclusive one-day event takes place on Saturday, October 24 in Charleston, South Carolina. Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen will also be taping shows leading up to the event, on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23.
Tickets for Bravo Fan Fest Charleston and for the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen tapings have sold out. Sign up for Bravo Insider for freeto receive information about select Bravo Fan Fest fan opportunities. You can get even more Bravo Fan Fest news by texting “BFF2026” to 917-809-2240. Message and data rates may apply.
ICYMI, learn more about where Nathan and Joe stand as Season 11 kicks off.
