Harry van Vliet – Below Deck Down Under

By starrymag | March 17, 2025

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) I started sailing at six years old. My parents put me on a sailboat from a very young age and from there I fell in love with the water. Sailed forever and then found yachting. My brother had a yachting business in Sydney, worked for him and got some experience and then it took me overseas.

 

Q) What initially made you want to be on the show “Below Deck Down Under?”

A) When I approached, I was like, “Well, this is what I do on a day-to-day basis. What’s the difference between doing it with cameras around? Why not?” I love to show the world the industry and what we do so I thought it would be a great idea.

 

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

A) I had heard about “Below Deck” before joining and, obviously, when I was approached, I watched a couple of episodes just to see exactly what it was. But I hadn’t seen all of it or anything like that, no.

 

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

A) Um, no. I’m a pretty open book. There’s nothing I hide in my life. I’m not secretly married. [laughs] No, everything’s open. Everything’s there, so if anyone asks a question I’ll answer.

 

Q) You’re also working with Captain Jason [Chambers] once again. What is it about his work ethic and leadership that makes him such a good boss? 

A) I really love working with Captain Jason. We’re both from the same hometown, so we’ve both grown up the same way. And it’s a very small hometown, so we’ve got the same ethics and morals I would say and because of that I just love the way he leads, the way he runs his boat. I think he’s fantastic to work for and anyone would be lucky to work with him.

 

Q) I think the most wholesome “Below Deck” interaction ever was watching Jason play dad and help you pick out your date outfit. What did that moment mean to you?  

A) Yeah, I really loved when Jason brought out his clothes to me, it just shows how much he cares and actually wants me to succeed. You know, this time around he’s like, “Come on Harry! I got your back.” No, it was really good it was really lovely, and I do think of him like a dad – second dad.

 

Q) You seem to have an instant connection with Bri from the beginning. What was it about her outside her good looks that drew you to her. 

A) Yeah, Bri [Duffield] and I definitely our sparks just match. We’re on the same wavelength. We both have that golden retriever energy and that’s what I was drawn to straight away. Thats what made me kiss her that night. I was just feeling the right vibe and it was fantastic, really. You don’t find many people that match you as well as Bri and I match each other

 

Q) The fans see you as sort of our collective little brother and want to protect you at all costs, we genuinely root for you and want good things for you. As you have this innate good fun nature to you, how does that make you feel? 

A) It’s so lovely to know that everyone values and roots for me. I think it’s fantastic. I’m just a genuinely nice person and I’m glad that it gets portrayed, and people see that and reflect and understand it. It’s really great. I love each and every one of my fans and every message I get. I get no hate, and I’m so lucky because, unfortunately, there is hate that people get from this line of work.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming this season? We hope you had the time to explore the Seychelles.

A) Yeah, I loved my time in the Seychelles. It’s a beautiful country. I had no idea where it was when I was told that I was going there. I Googled it on the map and had to zoom in heaps to see this tiny little island. But I loved the whole season. Definitely Bri and I’s relationship – those sparks flying was a highlight. My thumb hopefully recovering would be a highlight. Working with Captain Jason again was fantastic. And the money, friends and relationships I made with everyone – massive highlight.

 

Q) Certainly, your injury was a detriment this season. How is it doing these days and is it all healed? 

A) Yeah, the thumb has put me on the bench for the moment, but hopefully it gets better and can continue. But right now, it is back to normal. It’s all good, thank you. It just grows a bit slower than normal, but I think that’s because it had to grow back. All is good with my thumb.

 

Q) You’ve been busy adventuring lately from what we’ve seen on your social media. Have you kept in touch with any of your “Below Deck” castmates? 

A) Yeah, I keep in touch with all the “Below Deck” castmates. I’m friends with them all. That’s something I always strive for – being friends with everyone. I don’t let any little things that happen while working affect my life as a whole, so I keep in touch with everyone.

 

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

A) It’s genuine, you know. Like, it’s not edited. It’s just me there. You can’t change that – that’s just who I am.

 

 

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo next day on Peacock