After the second charter of the season, Captain Sandy Yawn may want to think about making some changes in her crew on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9. Heading into the season, Captain Sandy, Aesha Scott, and Elena Dubaich were the cast’s only repeat Below Deck yachties. The new crew of Below Deck Med season 9 has already outdone the cast of season 8. The season prior was tainted by negative energy and worthless drama. In contrast, Below Deck Medseason 9 feels refreshing because little to none of its cast has been on the show before.
None of Captain Sandy’s crew has committed a fireable offense so far in the season, but they also haven’t acted perfectly. So far, the season’s drama has stemmed from deckhands Gael Cameron and Nathan Gallagher’s flirting that is blossoming into a shady boatmance and Elena’s short-lived feud with Chef Johnathan Shillingford. However, Iain Maclean, Captain Sandy’s Bosun, has started to show early signs of stress in his leading role. There hasn’t been enough time in the season to know if he’ll crack under the pressure, but he’s already made a big mistake.
Iain Wasn’t Watching The Guest In The Water
No One Saw Nathan & The Guest Drift Away
During Below Deck Med season 9 episode 3, Iain lost sight of Nathan and a guest when they went paddleboarding. The charter guest requested that the deckhand come with her, so he did. Before they set out on the water, Iain didn’t make sure that the rest of the deck team had all eyes on the guests participating in water activities. Because of this, they got caught in a current and found themselves nearly 300 meters away from the Mustique. They waved for help, but a neighboring catamaran returned them to the superyacht.
Captain Sandy Had To Pull Iain Aside
Iain Accepted His Faults But Was Still Frustrated By The Situation
Captain Sandy was not happy about a guest getting lost at sea. She felt added pressure to ensure the charter went smoothly because the primary guest was her friend, Gigi Fernandez. After the incident, deckhand Joe Bradley accepted his fault for not paying full attention to Nathan and the guest. Captain Sandy was grateful for his apology but felt Iain was to blame for not ensuring two deckhands had eyes on the guests. She pulled the Bosun aside and told him she was disappointed with him.
Captain Sandy wasn’t rude in her approach, but she ensured Iain knew it was his responsibility to ensure the deck team was paying attention to the guests when they were in the water. He was frustrated by the situation but did not talk back to his captain. The Bosun went to the primary, Gigi, and apologized for letting one of her guests drift off to sea. After his apology, it seemed as though the situation was squashed. However, Iain let his feelings about the mishap seep into his leadership approach for the rest of the day.
Iain’s Deckhands Are Getting Frustrated With Him
Joe & Nathan Called Out His Attitude
Iain’s mood shifted after the altercation. He was upset with his deckhands and subliminally took this out on them by micromanaging. When they took in the slide from the side of the Mustique, he grew irritated with Joe and Nathan. Instead of talking through things calmly, he got a little upset, which they called out in their confessionals. Iain was defeated because he felt he had to walk his deckhands through tasks step-by-step to ensure they were doing everything right. In return, this made Joe and Nathan feel he was trying to control everything they did.
If he continues to have a negative attitude, this could spoil the camaraderie of the deck team. Iain, Joe, Nathan, and Gael have gotten along so far in the charter season. If the Bosun carries resentment about the paddleboarding incident, as he did during episode 3, his deckhands will grow annoyed with his behavior. Captain Sandy likely wouldn’t want to hear that Iain wasn’t treating his team with respect. She said she was a “three strikes, and you’re out” captain, and the Bosuns currently at one.
If Iain Is Fired, Could Joe Bradley Replace Him?
Captain Sandy Might Call In A Below Deck Alum To Replace Iain
If Iain was fired, it’s unclear who would replace him as Bosun. He assigned Joe as the lead deckhand at the start of the charter season. Joe admitted he hadn’t been a lead before, which showed during the first docking of the season. He didn’t do a perfect job and buckled underneath the pressure. Joe likely wouldn’t replace Iain as Bosun if Captain Sandy fired him. Instead, she’d probably call an old Bosun from the Below Deck franchise to take over his role. Luka Bunson was the Below Deck Med season 8 Bosun, and he’d made an adequate replacement.
Captain Sandy may choose to fire Bosun Iain from Below Deck Med season 9, but it wouldn’t be entirely for his paddleboard mistake. He dropped the ball but needs to have confidence in his leadership skills and fix his attitude to improve. If Captain Sandy does fire Iain, Luka from Below Deck Med season 9 may be his best replacement.