Below Deck Mediterranean captain Sandy Yawn has broken her silence over the Below Deck Down Under sexual misconduct scandal that saw two crew members fired for crossing lines with their co-stars.
In an Instagram post this week, Sandy, 58, praised Down Under’s Captain Jason Chambers and Chief Stewardess Aesha Scott for how they handled the incident.
“Respects to Captain Jason and Aesha,” she wrote. “This was a heavy but important watch.”
She added, “And kudos to the production for taking action to protect (the) crew.”
Soon after, Aesha took to social media to thank fans of the show for the deluge of positive messages she’s received since the episode aired.
Below Deck Mediterranean Captain Sandy Yawn (pictured) broke her silence this week about Below Deck Down Under’s sexual misconduct in an Instagram post
She also sternly warned of the dangers of becoming vulnerable while drinking.
“We should all remember to be vigilant when we are out together. I know we should always feel safe first and foremost, but life isn’t always like that, so watch your friends and make sure no one goes home alone,” she shared.
‘In all my years of sailing the rule has ALWAYS been that if a female team member wanted to go home and we were all drinking, a male team member would escort her safely to the boat, even if it meant a half hour walk. anyway for them. Take care of each other’s backs,’ she continued.
“Also so proud of how many people have spoken out about consent and women supporting women, especially all the men who have spoken out in support. It shows me that we are moving into a much more positive space in the world and I am very happy about that!!!! I love you all.’
“Respects to Captain Jason and Aesha,” she wrote. “This was a heavy, but important watch”
Aesha Scott also issued a lengthy statement on Instagram, highlighting the dangers of drinking
In the final episode of the reality show, boatswain Luke Jones was fired after climbing into the bed of flight attendant Margot Sisson, who was sleeping in her underwear “without permission.”
Captain Jason, 50, addressed fans of the show on Instagram, praising both the production crew and Aesha for the way they handled the situation.
“I’ve had a deluge of messages in the last 24 hours from people in similar situations, some of them not so lucky (with) the outcome, so my heart goes out to them,” he said.
“I want to thank the production team for breaking the fourth wall and stepping in, reshaping and allowing Aesha to come to me in an authentic way, and then deal with it as we would as captain and crew.’
Below Deck Captain Jason Chambers (pictured) of Down Under broke his silence this week following the shocking sexual misconduct scandal that saw the firing of two crew members
Jason addressed an incident where crew member Luke Jones got into bed naked with an ‘unconscious’ female co-star
Captain Jason also emphasized that he doesn’t know what happens between crew members when they go out together.
“As soon as Aesha brought it to my attention, I immediately addressed it, so it’s real,” he said.
The veteran skipper also urged people to “stop the hatred.”
“Look, this happened over a year ago and again I will emphasize that the people involved are all hopefully on a better journey to better themselves,” he said.
Less hate please, more love. But let’s send it home and know this is not acceptable.”
The skipper was praised by fans for comforting Aesha, who was left distraught after she reported the incident to him
As soon as he found out what had happened, Jason went to Luke’s room and got him off the yacht
He also shared a similar sentiment in the video’s caption, writing, “I sincerely hope that all parties involved use this time to reflect and seize this opportunity to not only change, but also help others.”
“Everyone has the opportunity in life to grow, learn from good or bad experiences and become the best people. Respect boundaries.’
Meanwhile, Aesha broke her silence on Wednesday by sharing a selfie of herself with Margot, writing, “Women should always support women and I will always support you.”
Jason and Aesha have both been praised by fans for how they handled the incident.
“This is by far the best reality show on the air. Thank you for the sensible and professional way you handled this situation,” one fan wrote to Jason.
‘On behalf of myself and all women, THANK YOU! You handled everything with such empathy and sensitivity,” gushed another.
On Below Deck Down Under this week, the ship’s boatswain, Luke, rushed into Margot Sisson’s bedroom during a power outage while she was drunk and “unconscious” in bed
Producers had to intervene after Luke crawled into bed with her
Luke jumped out of bed naked and slammed the door in the face of producers begging him to let them in
After a naked Luke got into Margot’s bed, who fell asleep unconscious after a night of heavy drinking, producers stepped in and told Luke to leave her alone.
“Can you fuck off?” he told the cameramen.
“We can’t do that, she said no, she said no,” the producers told him.
When Aesha returned to the cabin, she told her friend that Luke had been in her cabin and ran out ‘naked’.
‘Oh my God. Uh, was he naked?’ Margot replied, to which Aesha asked, “Have you agreed to have him here?”
“No, I was asleep,” Margot said. “I didn’t invite that one at all.”
Aesha then informed Captain Jason, who wanted to know if Sisson was ‘safe’.
So she’s safe? She’s safe, yes?’ said Captain Jason. “She’s safe,” Aesha said.
Aesha tearfully claimed that Luke had tried to “take advantage of Margot’s drunkenness” while she was “completely unconscious” in bed.
The next morning, Captain Jason put Luke down and immediately canceled his contract
Luke said he “accepted” Jason’s decision to fire him and insisted he couldn’t quite remember what happened the night before.
Captain Jason then entered Luke’s room and ordered him to stay overnight in a hotel.
The next morning, Jason gathered the rest of the crew and told them that Luke was being fired.
He also lectured the crew on the importance of consent and boundaries and emphasized the rules they had to follow while on board.
After Luke Jones was fired, second stew Laura Bileskalne’s (pictured) reaction to the incident also led to her being let go by Captain Jason after she insisted he wasn’t to blame
Laura also received backlash for aggressively pursuing deckhand Adam Kodra and climbing into his bunk to massage him. Taking a picture together
Jason then fired Luke, who simply replied, “I’ll accept that.”
After Luke Jones ended, second stew Laura Bileskalne’s reaction to the incident also led to her being let go by Captain Jason after she insisted he wasn’t to blame.
Laura also received backlash for aggressively pursuing deckhand Adam Kodra and climbing into his bunk to massage him, despite the fact that he had repeatedly rejected her advances.