Captain Sandy Yawn admitted to producers she had worries over returning bosun Nathan Gallagher, after a disastrous crash into the dock during the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 premiere. As Nathan and Sandy unpacked the collision, she grew weary of his inability to learn from the situation and move on.
“Nathan, you want me to get mad at you and scream?” she asked him, as he dwelled on what went wrong. To producers, she confessed, “I am concerned. I can see how upset Nathan is. But, we have a charter starting in less than half of a day. You can’t linger in that place. Just, keep moving.”
She tried to point out the positives of the situation to him: “The good news is, the boat’s intact. Fairing, paint—repairable.” She also tried to reassure him it was just a growing step. “You gotta learn, don’t let this s—t bother you like that. You’re the leader of the team. You don’t have time to be down,” she explained. “It’s superficial. We still need to pick up charter tomorrow. Correct the mistake, and be better tomorrow.”
But it was clear by the first morning of the first charter that Nathan was still upset about the crash, and he conceded to producers it was “hard to find that positive outlook.”
“Last night, you need to leave that in yesterday, and get your head in today,” Sandy reminded him. She then explained her idea to improve communications during future dockings: include chief stew Aesha Scott.
“This marina, we gotta have two people on the stern lines, and two people on the bow. I’m gonna make a suggestion. Bring Aesha on the bow, and that frees up your hands,” she proposed. Nathan was happy to have Aesha’s help, and commented, “She’s an asset wherever you put her.”
Nathan Gallagher shares why he feels “pressure” as a returning bosun in Below Deck Med Season 11
Nathan admitted during the June 8 supersized premiere that he was battling struggles both professionally and personally.
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.
“I do know it’s going to be difficult,” Nathan confessed to producers. “Listen, I’m still trying to find my feet in the bosun role. And I’m also just trying to find my feet in this new dad role. I want to be a good partner. I mean, moral of the story is, ‘I feel f—king pressure.’”
In case you need a refresher, it’s not Nathan’s first time feeling under a microscope as a bosun. He was newly promoted to the position under Sandy during Below Deck Med Season 10, and experienced stormy seas then as well, with Sandy calling one docking “complete chaos” during Episode 2.
But, things improved for him as a leader by the end of Season 10. “This season felt like I’ve gone through a f–kin’ tornado, a tsunami,” he commented to producers during the season finale. “I cannot believe we’ve made it this far. Yeah, I’m just proud of myself.”
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.
Sandy Yawn explains her leadership style as a captain on Below Deck Med Season 11
Although Sandy was devastated to experience her first-ever crash, she didn’t show her anger or panic to the crew during the June 8 premiere.
“Obviously, this sucks. But, I think because I’ve been through so much in my life, it does take a lot to rattle me,” she explained to producers of her ability to stay calm.
As far as her leadership tactics she added, “If something happens, you know how some people get excited, and ‘Oh my god!’? I’ve always gone quiet. I want to find my way out. So the only way to do that is to be calm, clear-headed, and strategic.”
Despite the mishap ahead of the first charter, Sandy expressed she still trusted Nathan. “Akira One’s an older boat. So you know, it’s solid. It’s survived the test of time,” she commented to producers.
She then shed more light on how it’s more difficult for the deck crew in Season 11 versus Season 10. “It’s a bigger boat than Bravado. We have to set two anchors every time. It’s more of a challenge for the deck crew because there’s a lot more working parts,” she detailed, and then added, “I trust Nathan. We got this.”
ICYMI, Captain Sandy shared an update on where she stands with Aesha going into Below Deck Med Season 11.
