Summary
Iain Maclean has made one too many mistakes onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9, and it’s time for Captain Sandy Yawn to pick another bosun from the franchise.Captain Sandy might be the best captainever seen onBelow Deck, but the same can’t be said for her bosun, Iain. He consistently fails to instruct his deckhands, constantly going between micro-managing and refusing to effectively delegate tasks. Iain allowed deckhand Nathan Gallagher to venture 300 meters away from the yacht with a charter guest and caused a dangerous situation with the anchor.
Captain Sandy gave Iain way too many chances, but there are some bosuns who could take over for him onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9. Her crew aboard the Mustique is too strong to let an incompetent bosun work aboard the yacht. Chief Stew Aesha Scott is a fan-favorite, and despite thedrama between Elena Dubaich and Bri Muller, her interior crew has been performing well during the charter season. Deckhands Joe Bradley, Gael Cameron, and Nathan help each other when Iain’s leadership fails. If Captain Sandy fires Iain, who will she choose to replace him?

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1Joe Bradley
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9
Joe might be better known for thelove triangle inBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9, but the deckhand could be a viable replacement for Iain. Hailing from Alicante, Spain, Joe brings a mix of charm, skill, and three years of yachting experience to the crew. Fluent in Spanish and a talented musician, Joe’s charisma has made him likable to his fellow deckhands and two of the stews, who are now feuding over his attention.
Hometown
Originally from Liverpool, England; Lives In Spain
Joe’s potential to replace Bosun Iain comes from his versatility and leadership qualities. Throughout the season, Joe has showcased his abilities in handling various situations on deck, including bringing the potential anchor disaster to the crew’s attention. His industry expertise, coupled with his problem-solving skills, positions him as a strong candidate for the bosun role. However,Joe needed help with getting into the groove early in the season, so he might not be ready for such an important role.
2Gael Cameron
Gael, a new deckhand onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9, has demonstrated significant potential as a replacement bosun if Iain gets fired. With three years of experience in the yachting industry, Gael has shown her competence in handling various tasks and responsibilities on board. Her natural leadership qualities and ability to guide and support her fellow deckhands are crucial for a bosun role. Gael’s strong work ethic, adaptability, and communication skills could make her a promising option for a replacement.
Gael is a competent, likable, and communicative deckhand, making her a potential choice as a replacement bosun. However, her relationship with Nathan could complicate things.

However,Gael’s relationship with fellow deckhand Nathancould complicate things if she got promoted. The two new deckhands are often seen together, sparking speculation among the crew of a potential boatmance. Despite their chemistry,Nathan downplayed their relationship, claiming they were just friends, likely due to her boyfriend back at home. If she gets the bosun position, it would further muddy their romantically-tinged friendship.
3Nathan Gallagher
Hailing from Burtonport, Ireland, Nathan could be another replacement for Iain. He has about three years of experience in the yachting industry and shows a clear passion for yachts and an understanding of how they work.Nathan has shown significant potential and dedication to his role as a deckhandaboard the Mustique, making him a decent candidate for the position of bosun if Iain Maclean were to be fired. Despite his relatively short experience in the industry, Nathan’s enthusiasm and quick learning ability are evident.
Moreover, Nathan’s positive attitude and ability to maintain morale among the crew are vital qualities for a leadership position. He diffused tension and brought humor to stressful situations, important for maintaining a peaceful work environment. He’s already clashed with Iain throughout the season, expressing dissatisfaction with his micromanaging. Additionally, he was the deckhand stranded with a charter guest due to Iain’s incompetence. However, between his fraught relationship with Gael and the least amount of experience of the existing deckhands, he’s the least likely of the three to get the position.
4João Franco
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 3 & 4 & Below Deck Down Under Season 2
João Franco’s journey in theBelow Deckfranchisehas been notable for his growth and leadership development. He first appeared as a deckhand inBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 3, quickly rising to bosun by season 4 due to his dedication and skill. Despite his alcohol problem, João eventually rose above his personal issues to become one of the best bosuns in the series.
João returned to the franchise onBelow Deck Down Underas the bosun, where his experience and leadership skills further solidified his reputation. He has since obtained a master’s license and captained various vessels, showcasing his capability and ambition in the yachting industry, especially with his abilities as captain of smaller boats. His journey from a deckhand to a captain demonstrates his ability to handle responsibility and navigate the complexities of yacht management effectively.João could definitely stand in for Iain in a pinchif he isn’t across the world in Australia.
5Ben Willoughby
Below Deck Seasons 10 & 11
Ben Willoughby, known for his time onBelow Deckseasons 10 and 11, has shown significant potential as a bosun despite not being Captain Kerry Titheradge’s first choice in season 11. He was a controversial bosun, clashing with Captain Kerry’s management style at every turn. His insubordination culminated in a near-firing ahead of the final charter of the season. While Ben said he would never work with Captain Kerry again, he might feel differently about Captain Sandy.
Ben’s familiarity with deckhand and bosun duties as well as his proven skill set make him a viable candidatefor leading the deck team. His experience of managing docking operations and handling on-board drama, albeit with some personal challenges, demonstrates his capability. Additionally, he stepped up at the last second after a firing in season 11, indicating his ability to jump into uncertain situations.
6Malia White
Below Deck Mediterranean Seasons 2, 5, & 6
Malia White’s journey onBelow Deck Mediterraneanmakes her an obvious choice for a replacement bosun if she happens to be available. She first appeared in season 2 as a deckhand on the yacht Sirocco, where she quickly made a name for herself and was promoted to lead deckhand by the season’s end.Malia returned to the franchise in season 5 as the first female bosunon the show, demonstrating her strong leadership skills and determination to succeed in a male-dominated industry, something Captain Sandy has advocated for her entire career.
Malia’s leadership abilities and effective working relationship with Captain Sandy might make her the perfect replacement for Iain if she’s willing to return toBelow Deck Mediterranean.
Malia’s tenure as bosun was not without controversy, particularly her decision to report Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier for possessing unregistered Valium, which led to Hannah’s dismissal from the yacht. However, she and Captain Sandy were aligned on this decision. Captain Sandy might view Malia as the younger version of her and seek to give her increased opportunities in a difficult industry for women to break into.
7Eddie Lucas
Below Deck Seasons 1-3, and 8 & 9
Bosun Eddie Lucas was part of the original cast ofBelow Deck,appearing in seasons 1-3 and then returning for seasons 8 and 9. He started as a deckhand and worked his way up to the position of bosun. Eddie’s tenure on the show was marked by his strong work ethic, leadership skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations, making him a franchise superstar. Captain Sandy would be lucky to have him on board.
After his time onBelow Deck, Eddie continued to advance his yachting career and captained a boat. Eddie’s journey to becoming a captain was not traditional, given his rise through the tanks without any formal training. WhileEddie would be a welcome replacement for Iain onBelow DeckMediterranean, it could be wishful thinking. The seasoned bosun seems to have fully moved on from the franchise and might view filling in as an interim bosun as a demotion. Additionally, he didn’t return for season 10 because of low pay, so Bravo would need to give him a raise.
8Luka Brunton
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8 & Below Deck Down Under Season 2
Luka Brunton, a New Zealand native, could also be a viable replacement for Iain. Luka started his yachting career early and has nearly a decade of experience on the high seas. This extensive background in yachting, combined with his calm and confident demeanor, could allow him to easily step into the role of bosun. During his time onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 8,Captain Sandy promoted Luka to bosunafter the initial bosun, Ruan Irving, departed due to visa issues.
Luka quickly demonstrated his leadership skills and ability to manage the deck team effectively, earning the permanent bosun position. His familiarity with Captain Sandy and the crew, including a close relationship with Chief Stew Aesha Scott, further adds to Luka as an obvious choice. While it’s unclear whether Captain Sandy will fire Iain, she has plenty of more competent replacements for the underperforming bosun onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9.
Below Deck Mediterraneanairs on Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo and streams on Peacock.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Cast
Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.