Sandy Yawn – Below Deck Mediterranean

By starrymag | May 29, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What made you want to be a return this season of “Below Deck Mediterranean?”

 

A) I love what I do as a yacht captain, I love inspiring others and I love that Bravo gives me that opportunity to reach the viewers showing them that our industry is open for people who love the ocean.

 

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

 

A) I don’t have anything to hide. If I’m asked a question that I don’t want to answer I go to the “politician way of answering.” [smiles] Also, most often time I think to myself, “If my life experience can help a viewer why wouldn’t I answer the question?”

 

Q) What are some of your most memorable moments that you can tease from this season of Below Deck Med?

 

A) The storm for sure! There was lighting all around us, we had the guest and two crew members ashore and I wanted everyone back on board since they are my responsibility. It’s difficult when you are responsible for people’s lives that are ashore, and you have no control over the weather. Getting them back on board safely was my priority. STRESSFUL!

  

Q) We saw you seem to butt heads with Hannah and Adam last season for stepping out of line. What were some of your lingering concerns this season?

 

A) I wouldn’t call it butting heads, I would call it insubordination. Where you have two crew members that cross the line you discipline them in a way that allows the charter to be completed without the charter client noticing.  We are on a super yacht in the Western Mediterranean serving the elite and one would think that once you sign on board you would carry out that “level of service.” Let’s face it, we are dealing with human beings that are unpredictable and my only hope is that we can pull off these charters without a total catastrophe!

 

Q) This season you instituted a policy of “Don’t make me think of you first thing in the morning.” How did the crew do this season leave up or not live up to this guideline?

 

A) I never woke up thinking about them until Hannah [Ferrier] crossed the line again with me. You will see as the season reveals what line she crossed.

 

Q) We saw last season there was an issue adhering to guest food preference. What have you taken away from that experience?

 

A) I will now always check with Adam [Glick] on a regular basis making sure he has the supplies he needs to carry out the request. I know Adam has learned his lesson. I think his head was in the Malia [White] world and he lost sight of what his job was. The guest should always come first.

 

Q) Who would you have liked to have seen return to sharing a ship with you and why?

 

A) Wes [Walton] and Malia. I loved that they loved yachting and want to make it a career. When I hear how much people hate it and want out of the industry I think to myself then leave and allow space for people who love this life and want to be here just like Malia and Wes.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback you have been receiving?

 

A) Yes, I am, and it can be a little overwhelming at times. I do like to read the feedback. I like answering question and I allow the negative, just to see what is on their minds. I like to engage in helping people find their way or just simply share the knowledge.

 

Q) What is something that you want to be sure viewers know about you or that you’d like to clarify?

 

A) I care about people and I care about the industry that I work in. I care about saving our oceans and seas, where I spend most of my time. I’m a huge supporter of Autism and my sister’s school. My nephew was diagnosed when he was two years old with Autism.  My sister left her career out of fear for her child and founded a school called Jacksonville School for Children with Autism and now she serves sixty families and continues to grow. I love my family even though they sometimes drive me crazy. After all family is for life!

 

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

 

A) At first, I was not so excited about doing the show because of my industry they hated the show. Once I filmed my first season I thought to myself, “Why not allow the people see just how hard we have it as captains? Our job is not so easy. You deal with the owner, the management company, the charter brokers, the agents, the ports, the crew and the guest. It’s a huge responsibility and a lot of people just think all we do is drive the boats and that’s it. Well, it’s a whole lot more and me being on the show is allowing my industry to see the reach this show has.

 

 

“Below Deck Mediterranean” returns for its third season on Tuesday, May 15 at 9p.m. on Bravo