‘Below Deck’: Why Do Some Crew Members Get Fired?

“Don’t embarrass yourself and don’t embarrass the boat” is the phrase that Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck shares with new crew members every season.

Unfortunately, several crew members have broken this rule and were sent packing on the show. From stretching the truth on their CV to a blatant disregard for the rules, Rosbach has had to fire a slew of crew members for a number of reasons. Both he and Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Mediterranean are often seen giving crew members a number of chances to remain on for the entire season but sometimes a crew member simply doesn’t make the cut.

For the most part, not being able to competently perform the job seems to be the main reason why crew members are fired on the show. Deckhand Andrew Sturby fudged his resume and was ultimately busted for having no experience during season 2. While Rosbach gave him a chance to get up to speed, he simply wasn’t ready for the job and left early in the season.

These crew members were fired because they couldn’t perform the job

Sturby isn’t the only crew member who was fired because he struggled with the job. Boson Chandler Brooks was fired during Below Deck season 6 when he mismanaged the crew and consistently made errors. From switching the radio frequency to fighting with the crew, Brooks made it for about nine episodes.

Another crew member who seemed lost on the job was deckhand Chris Brown from season 5. His chill, surfer attitude didn’t mix well with deck work. He remained on the crew until bosun EJ Jansen arrived. With too many crew and not enough cabins, Brown was cut from the team. Similarly, third stew June Foster was cut during Below Deck Med Season 4 because of crew changes.

Chef Mila Kolomeitseva was also fired on Below Deck Med Season 4. From serving Old El Paso nachos to slimy fish from a can, Yawn had no choice but to let the chef go after five episodes. And while he proved to be a talented chef, Hindrigo “Kiko” Lorran left Below Deck Med Season 5. Yawn thought Lorran needed more experience before he took on the role of a superyacht chef.

Sometimes crew are fired for their attitude

Unfortunately, the part about “embarrassing” the boat and yourself can also mean a crew member is let go. Deckhand Dane Jackson only appeared in three episodes of Below Deck Season 3. Jackson’s drunken behavior quickly got him bounced from the boat.

Deckhand Trevor Walker also only made it for a few episodes of Below Deck Season 4. Walker mocked Marines and was generally rude to the crew. Bosun Kelley Johnson, a former Marine was over Walker almost the minute he arrived. “He’s the worst crewmember I’ve ever had, ever, underneath me,” he told Bravo’s The Daily Dish.

Deckhand Danny Zureikat almost made it until the end of Below Deck Med Season 1. But sneaking notes to the guests and insisting on taking photos for Instagram on the job ultimately got him fired that season.

And then a few crew members were fired due to safety reasons

Only two crew members have been fired because the captain cited safety reasons. Chef Leon Walker was fired on Below Deck Season 3 after a fire started in the galley kitchen. Walker was asleep and stews Kate Chastain and Raquel “Rocky” Dakota prepared food for the guests well into the night.

But the oven caught fire when Chastain was baking a pizza. Walker was blamed for forgetting to clean the oven. A greasy oven is a fire hazard and negligent.

Chief stew Hannah Ferrier was also fired for safety reasons on Below Deck Med Season 5. During a cabin swap, bosun Malia White snapped a photo of Ferrier’s unregistered prescription valium and a vape pen. She shared it with Yawn who later fired Ferrier. Yawn said she didn’t feel safe going to sea with Ferrier.