How Captain Sandy Has Become More Likable in Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9
Below Deck Mediterranean and franchise captain, Captain Sandy Yawn, has had a history of being disliked by viewers and the crew, but she has made moves in Below Deck Med season 9 that have made her more likable. Below Deck Med is the second spinoff in the network. The OG Below Deck show finished airing season 11 in late May 2024, and while Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 was supposed to be the next show up, it got skipped in favor of airing Below Deck Med season 9. Below Deck Med season 8 finished airing in January 2024.
In 2024, there are currently four Below Deck franchise captains at the helm of the different series. Captain Sandy commands Below Deck Med, Captain Kerry Titheradge joined as captain of Below Deck in season 11, Captain Glenn Shephard is the figurehead of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, and Captain Jason Chambers is the face of Below Deck Down Under. Captain Lee Rosbach was the original captain of the OG Below Deck series. Captain Sandy has worked hard in her position over the years but carved out a negative reputation that she seems to be coming back from.
Captain Sandy’s Below Deck Franchise Background
Captain Sandy Is An OG
Captain Sandy replaced the original Below Deck Med captain, Captain Mark Howard, in May 2017 with the start of season 2. She has been the figurehead of that franchise ever since. When Captain Lee was in poor health and had to exit mid-season in Below Deck season 10, Captain Sandy took over in her one and only appearance on the OG show.
59-year-old Captain Sandy currently has over 30 years of experience as a captain. She grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was a self-proclaimed troublemaker growing up. She worked her way up the yachting ladder, and once she got sober, she took her trajectory towards being a captain very seriously. Captain Sandy prides herself on lifting up women in the industry and running her vessel and crew with the utmost safety concerns in mind.
Captain Sandy Has Gotten A Negative Reputation
She’s Rubbed Viewers The Wrong Way
In her now-many seasons as captain on the global stage of reality TV, Captain Sandy’s approach and actions have earned her a lot of haters.
Some of the top complaints involve unfair dismissals, favoritism, and micromanaging.
Captain Sandy has been known as a hands-on captain, which often comes off as her interfering too much and causing unnecessary issues that could be worked out among the crew and the department heads.
Trust is a big thing for Captain Sandy, but she often portrays that she thinks her crew is incapable, and therefore has to step in in situations that could sort themselves out. She also lets her crew know that she can hear everything, and she has confronted several crew members over the years. The most recent time was when she overheard Alissa Humber talking badly about her management style, and Captain Sandy swiftly fired Alissa for insubordination, a first in the reasons for a captain firing a crew member.
Captain Sandy has also said some pretty harsh things to her crew that have seemed out of place for the situation. She was criticized specifically for her harsh handling of her long-time Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier, after she fired her from the vessel for having a vape pen and Valium. More recently, when Captain Sandy was in Below Deck season 10, she had a talk with Chief Stew Fraser Olender where she called him a “cancer.” She also had more outlandish words for the then-struggling Chief Stew.
“The fish rots from the head down.”
Offscreen, Captain Sandy has also had her feuds which have contributed to her negative reputation. Captain Lee publically chastised Captain Sandy’s decision to fire Camille Lamb in Below Deck season 10 without letting him know. Captain Sandy’s girlfriend, Leah Shafer jumped into the fray to speak out about Captain Lee and defend her girlfriend’s actions. Captain Sandy has a particular leadership style, and it’s been clear that it doesn’t sit right with most viewers.
Captain Sandy Is Showing Her Supportive & Non-Favoritism Side
She’s Gotten More Respected
Captain Sandy has been doing things to improve her image and likability in Below Deck Med season 9, however. during her interviews, she has explained her seasoning more, and she’s taken steps to back off in situations she would have jumped into before. The prime example was when Captain Sandy overheard Third Stew Bri Muller saying she was going to be passive-aggressive toward Ellie Dubaich. Instead of handling the conflict herself, Captain Sandy backed off and agreed that letting Chief Stew Aesha Scott handle the unrest would be the best approach.
“It’s not my business until it’s made my business.”
Captain Sandy has also come across as more grateful this season, and she’s become more relatable. During an interview, she opened up about being a kidney cancer survivor and talked about how much she appreciates life and admires those who have been through hardships. She also handled Chef Johnathan Shillingford’s mess-ups with more grace, support, and positivity than she has handled other crew mistakes in the past.
This season, Captain Sandy is showing a softer side, and it’s been sitting better with fans.
Captain Sandy Will Likely Continue To Improve Her Image
There’s Only Up From Here
Captain Sandy is coming off of years of negative reviews of her management and interpersonal styles. She seems to be turning her leadership criticisms around and handling less-ideal situations with more thought and less reaction. When Captain Sandy was recently in Australia, she met up with Hannah Ferrier and the pair were able to put the past behind them and turn over a new leaf in their relationship, signaling that she is open to mending fences.
Moreover, in Below Deck Med season 9, Captain Sandy will propose to Leah (via Bravo,) and viewers will get to see a different side of the formidable captain. Captain Sandy is no doubt an excellent captain, she has just dealt with crew situations and demonstrated her leadership in ways that have rubbed viewers the wrong way over the years. However, her demeanor in season 9 is changing perceptions.
