Brian de Saint Pern – Below Deck

By starrymag | January 27, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) It was touched on a bit during the show, but how did you get your start working on yachts?

 

A) Well, I heard about the yachting industry through a friend in South Africa and was really interested as I love the ocean and thought I would thrive in that environment. My girlfriend at the time was a bit worriedabout leaving our lifestyles on such a gamble because it is difficult getting a couples job on a yacht when you are first starting out in the industry. We ended up breaking up and I was heartbroken as I thought I was going to marry this girl.

 

I then decided to sell all my assets and move to Spain and get into the yacht industry. I wanted to start a new life and provide for my daughter as she is my main priority. I knew this would also allow me to have a career where I could give my daughter a life I never had. The heartbreak was a good push for me to make something out of myself for my daughter. Glass half full kind of scenario and the rest is history!

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of “Below Deck?”

 

A) Being in the yachting industry as long as I have been, I had a few opportunities to be on the show, but this time finally stuck. They got hold of me when I was in Antibes, France on a night off from charter when I was having a couple drinks with friends. On impulse I said “yes.” I then told myself that I was just going to be myself and work my ass off as I usually do, but it seems this season worked out differently for me and the deckhands than we thought.

 

Q) Had you been a fan of the show or familiar with it before joining the cast this year?

 

A) I actually have only watched the 3rd season (I think it was the 3rd). The one with Rocky…she was a legend.

 

Q) Were there though any certain parts of your life you deemed off limits to the camera?

 

A) No, I was an open book but my daughter’s mother didn’t want our daughter on the show which we respected. This is why you don’t see Micah in any of the episodes.

 

Q) Courtney [Skippon] and you had lots of chemistry! Was it just being in tight quarters that brought you two together?

 

A) Yes, Courtney and I definitely got along very well once she let her guard down and I definitely started to get feelings for her. We got together pretty quickly on charter, but it was just over a month in real time, so we were in the very early stages of a relationship. Boat romances are also very difference to normal romances, so it’s very difficult to discuss and figure out future plans with someone unfortunately. Watching the episodes now, seeing her upset, breaks my heart. At the time I wish she had come to me and we talked things out together instead of going to the rest of her team to ask advice. You’ll have to tune in for the rest of the season to see how our relationship evolves from there.

 

Q) There also seemed to be a fast connection between you and Ashton [Pienaar]. What did you enjoy about working alongside of him?

 

A) I think myself and Ashton became friends quick because we both South African and, on a boat, the Bosun and Lead Deckhand have to have a good relationship in order for co-operations to run smoothly. Ashton is a hard worker and I always enjoy working with someone that is not lazy. [laughs]

 

Q) That was quite a nasty infection in your knee! How did it begin and how are you doing now?

 

A) Yeah, the infection on my knee was a big scare. It started out with me hitting it on a piece of stainless steel on the side deck and the then we cleaned the teak. When you clean the teak you use chemicals that extract all the dirt and grime that are stuck in the wood, so with me scrubbing the teak on my knees and with all that chemical and dirt mixture, which we call Teak juice, I believe that got into my gash and is what caused the infection.

 

Thank goodness I went to the hospital when they operated and had to cut out all the infected tissue. I have recovered with just a scar as a reminder.

 

Q) You took offense to being called a “yachtie.” What does that title mean to you?

 

A) I do not take offence to the word “yachtie” (I use the word Yachtie). I take offense to the way someone calls me a Yachtie. This word can be used professionally but can also, just as easily, be used as an insult. In that instance, I felt like it was being used as an insult to me, which is why I responded the way that I did. Of course, people will interpret things the way they want to on screen, but I can say that people who don’t know the difference between a yachtie insult and a yachtie compliment probably haven’t worked in the industry.

 

Q) Many felt the men on this season were out of hand with their remarks towards the female crew. Looking back, do you regret any remarks you made?

 

A) I do think that EVERYONE (girls included) used a poor choice of words when it came to arguments. I absolutely regret using the “B” word against Kate [Chastain], but I honestly wasn’t thinking when I said It and you can see in the taxi that I instantly knew I should not have said it. It was a mistake that I’ve apologize for several times, but I should have known better.

 

Q) Talk about working with Captain Lee. 

 

A) Can’t say much about Captain Lee as he doesn’t micro manage us, so I didn’t see him that much unless there is an emergency of some sort. He normally just drives the boat and lets us handle the rest.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming Below Deck?

 

A) The day out with Courtney on the tender was amazing. I think about that a lot.

Definitely dancing on stage at the club. Our day off at the beach club where Ashton messed up the DJ box was amazing, even though I could not swim that day.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan response have you been receiving to the season?

 

A) In the beginning I only received positive feedback, but lately I’ve been getting some really hurtful comments for sure. They bring my daughter into it and just make assumptions on situations where they don’t have all the facts. Sometimes the things they are accusing me of are what they are doing back to me, very hypocritical. I honestly try ignore it but it does get to you sometimes. I mean, we are only human.

 

Q) What do you want to be sure fans know about you and your time on “Below Deck?”

 

A) I just want them to know that I was myself throughout the show and they must please just keep in mind that you should not make assumptions on what you see on TV because you don’t always see the entire story. That being said, I absolutely LOVE all my fans and all the positive messages from you amazing humans. I know I don’t always reply (there is a lot to get through, bear with me please [laughs]), but I do see them and thank you so much.

 

 

TUNE IN: Catch Brian De Saint Pern on “Below Deck” Mondays at 9PM ET/PT on Bravo