Triton Today Survey: Does “Below Deck” portray yachting’s reality?

Nov 6, 2016 by Tom Serio

: Deckhand Chris Bailey M/Y Wabi-Sabi 164’ Westport “No. Lot of nagging between crew. There should be no shenanigans with crew.”

: Stew Shelly Berry M/Y Andiamo! 105’ Azimut “There’s a high interest in drama, drama, drama. It’s not realistic.”

: 1st Officer Cornelis De Necker M/Y Mia Elise 164’ Trinity “No, it’s terrible, seems scripted. The chit-chat to senior officers is not how it works. Not a fan.”

: Stew/Deck Liz Herting M/Y Rhapsody 92’ Paragon “Some scenarios are realistic, but embellished a lot. There is crew drama but it must be self-controlled by the crew.”

: 2nd Stew Ana Huertas M/Y Sovereign 180’ Newcastle “There could be programs out there where this works, but not many. Integrating with guests is over-the-top and unprofessional.”

: Deckhand Kim Van Jaarsveld M/Y Nita K 124’ Delta “No, the show is setup to sell. We’re all adults, and that stuff doesn’t really happen. Lots of hard work and long hours.”

: Bosun Trentham Jones M/Y Matrix Rose 147’ Sterling “No. With too much drama and relationship, it sucks the good side from the industry. It portrays yachting as sleazy.”

: Chief Stew Lorena Moreau M/Y Cheers 46 140’ Benetti “It’s TV. Guests come for a vacation and deserve respect, and we need to be professional.”

: Chef Noel Nugent M/Y Namoh 125’ Cheoy Lee “No, it’s garbage, nonsense. The behavior of the crew doesn’t portray the industry.”

: Chief Stew Linda Ruckel M/Y Black & Gold 125’ Westport “No. The stuff that happens in front of guests, that would never happen.”

: 2nd Stew Autumn Russell M/Y Black & Gold 125’ Westport “No.The actions on the show are not acceptable on a yacht.”

: 2nd Stew Yana Savelieva M/Y One More Toy 155’ Christensen “No, I never see them properly working.”

: Chief Stew Monique Steyn M/Y Matrix Rose 147’ Sterling “I’ve learned a few things like how to get guests to move to another area when you need to retrieve something where they are. But the show makes the industry seem dramatic.”

: Chief Stew Dani Thrasyvoulou M/Y One More Toy 155’ Christensen “Some of it goes on, but get five of the craziest crew stuck together with drama and you have Below Deck.”

: Deckhand Sawyer Williams M/Y Cracker Bay 147 Hakvoort “The drama is exaggerated. The leniency of the captain lets the crew get away with it.”

: Deckhand Steve Wright M/Y My Maggie 112’ Westport “There’s positive things like beach parties and the energy onboard, which are realistic. But a deckhand will never take his shirt off; that’s completely false. I would like to see a documentary on the industry.”

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Boat Show News, Boat Show Photos, Triton Survey