Captain Sandy Yawn Thinks Aesha Scott’s Yacht ‘Below Deck Med’ Has ‘Riz’: ‘She Came Back With a Mad Skill Set’

It’s safe to say that Captain Sandy Yawn is crushing life. In addition to a new season of Under the Mediterranean deck where the Bravolebrity recently celebrated several personal milestones. In addition to moving to Florida and a new home, Captain Sandy married longtime partner Leah Shafer in an intimate ceremony aboard a superyacht last month. With Under deck Med Executive Producer Nadine Rajabi oversaw the proceedings, the day was filled with lots of love and lots of laughs. “Everything was special,” Captain Sandy recalled. “Our exchange of vows was a moment I will never let go of.”

A guest present was Aesha Scott, who worked as a stew under the watchful eye of Captain Sandy in Under deck Med seasons 4 and 5. As fate would have it, Scott got the call to join Captain Sandy for season 9 as the main stew. Captain Sandy again described working with Scott as “great” and “spectacular”. “He left my boat as a second stew, continued his education, gained some more experience and returned (returned) as the main stew.”

Viewers will also get to witness Captain Sandy’s proposal to Shafer, as shown in the show’s trailer. Although Captain Sandy isn’t sure how much the public will be able to see of the couples’ engagement ceremony, she promised that “Greece is all about love.” “I can take Leah to an island I’ve never been to,” said Captain Sandy. While it’s clear that Captain Sandy has been thinking about her proposal for some time, she said “something made her wait for Greece.” “It’s such an incredible place,” gushed Captain Sandy.

DECIDER caught up with Captain Sandy on Zoom to talk about the upcoming season, crew dynamics, and why this season’s promo photos were the “worst” yet.

DECIDER: First off, congratulations on your recent wedding! What can you tell me about that special day?

Captain SANDY YAWN: Everything was special. Having the people I loved the most be a part of it was very special. Our friend’s boat was special. The ceremony was special. Chef Dave (Alb from Under deck Med The food of the season 7) was the icing on the cake. However, our exchange of vows was the moment I will never let go of.

Now, let’s get into the season. For Season 9, you welcome back your old friend, Aesha, as your main stew. What was it like working with her again after all these years?

That’s great. Spectacular. He’s back with a mad skill set. She left my boat as second stew, continued her education, gained some more experience and was able to return as main stew. I think that’s pretty cool. She is incredible. She is good with people. She’s funny. She is charismatic. She has “rice” (laughs). I just learned that “rice” means charisma. Did you know that?

I knew this.

I’m not very cool.

Captain Sandy, you are the best! Even though Aesha has grown up tremendously, she told me she still leaned on you for advice when she had a few stews that didn’t get along. What can you tell me about the guidance you’ve given him this season?

I always like to leave things in the hands of my crew because the only way you learn is by doing. Sometimes you make mistakes, but that’s how you learn. If someone is always there to hold your hand, there is no learning curve. I don’t remember what I told Aeshai, but I’m sure it was good advice because I live a lot longer than her (laughs. I’ve had a lot of experience dealing with challenging personalities. I always try to find what motivate and use that passion to redirect them.That redirection can result in a pleasant working relationship, more often than not.

Superyacht Mustique has been through some stuff since we last saw her last season. Were you surprised by the state of that stew cabin when you got on board?

Little bit. The boat was sold to a new owner and then we went straight into the charter season. I guarantee he waited to do all the repairs until after the season was over. There really wasn’t time to do them before. I wasn’t too surprised because things always happen on a boat.

Bosun Iain Maclean enters the season with 5 years experience. Did your working relationship with him go smoothly or did you ever run into rough waters?

It’s always smooth for me. Was it smooth for them? That’s not really a question for me. That’s really a question for Iain. I don’t have to be smooth with them. You have to be easy with me. There is no friendship or relationship there. It is a “work ship” for me as a boss. Respect the position, do your job and everything will be fine with me.

Speaking of relationships, I’m so excited to see you marry Leah later in the season. What can you tease about what fans will see?

Greece. You will see Greece, which is incredible. I don’t know what you will see. I haven’t watched the season so I’ll find out as you find out. I’m so happy I went to Greece this season because I haven’t been there in a very long time. I can take Leah to an island I’ve never been to before. I got to go to new places, which is rare, so that was cool for me. That’s my takeaway (laughs).

You and Leah are world travelers. Why did you choose Greece as the location for your proposal?

Greece means love, doesn’t it? Much mythology has its roots in romance. I was very lucky that it all worked out the whole time. I looked at many locations, but something made me wait for Greece. It’s such an incredible place.

I’m obsessed with the promo footage for this season of Under deck Medwhich presents you as a Greek god.

How lucky am I? I look like a badass (laughs). I love the idea they came up with to tease the new season.

Another familiar face we see pop up in the trailer is your friend and frequent charter guest, Olympic gold medalist Gigi Fernández. She didn’t seem to dig chef Johnathan Shillingford’s food…

Gigi is used to eating very good food. She was well traveled and had meals prepared by some of the best chefs in the world. It’s good that he criticized her like that, but he wasn’t as kind as I would have liked him to be. I appreciate that she was honest because if the guests are not honest, how can we improve? I love her for that.

Did you enjoy working with Chef Johnathan?

Johnathan is self-taught and I think viewers will see that. He is a great human being, very kind. He did a great job overall.

Are there any yachts this season whose progress you are excited to watch the public watch?

Bri and Iain, for sure.

You had a pretty tumultuous team last season. How did the yachts in season 9 compare to the yachts in season 8?

You know, all the yachts are on their best behavior in front of me (laughs). I don’t see any of the not so great stuff until I see the episodes. If I hear something or see something or a department head comes to me about someone else, then I say, “Okay, I’ve got to step in and help course-correct.” I’ll have to wait and see like everyone else.