It wouldn’t be reality TV if there wasn’t conflict, whether it’s fabricated by production or not. And Below Deck Mediterranean is the irresistible mix of work/life relationships happening in tight quarters. Even more so now with coronavirus restrictions limiting movement of both charter guests and crew off the boat. The crew are together 24/7 in a highly stressful industry, and the results give us fans some premium reality TV fodder.
Drama will happen. And with Hannah Ferrier enjoying land-life, Captain Sandy Yawn needs a new target this season. Katie Flood will have to up her table decor game for sure . Usually Sandy is micromanaging in the galley, so chef Mathew Shea will be on her radar as well. But the fight teased during the Season 6 trailer is the first major professional issue Sandy has had with her protege, Bosun Malia White.
Unlike underwhelming table settings, the conflict between Malia and Sandy was one of serious substance. After one of Malia’s deck hands sustained an injury on the job, Sandy came down on her hard for failing to file an incident report. My guess is the maritime law that Malia dogmatically upholds would dictate that the event be recorded, but she can be heard on the clip defending herself saying, “I’m not a chief officer.” Captain Sandy then angrily replied, ” I don’t give a f–k. You should’ve come to me that he was hurt.”
Sandy took Malia under her wing during Season 2 when the deck hand showed promise and enthusiasm to progress in the industry. When Malia returned as Bosun in Season 5, she had to prove herself to a team of male deck hands. She and Sandy had a camaraderie as women who advanced into management in a male-dominated industry.
An E! News reporter followed up with Sandy to discuss the fight, and asked the Below Deck Med Captain if there was any fallout from that confrontation.
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“Oh, Malia and I are fine,” Sandy revealed, “we just have to wait and see what happens, but, you know, there are times, even though you’re leading people, you get pissed.” Sandy has proven herself to be short-tempered many times on the show, it’s just hasn’t been directed at Malia before. But she explained it was the bosun’s lack of accountability that irked her the most. Sandy said, “one of the things that really upset me is when people don’t take responsibility and they shrug it.”
This incident was an exception to Malia’s otherwise stellar record. Love her or hate her, but the girl gets her job done. Sandy agreed, “Malia is an awesome crew member. She does her job. You know, she always pitches in, you see her washing the dishes. Like, she’s a team player. She’s a real yachtie.” Malia expressed a desire to advance to captain one day. Sandy said that while Malia has, “a lot to learn still,” but, “she’s learning and she’s doing the work.”
RELATED: Below Deck Mediterranean Star Captain Sandy Yawn Says She Was “Taken Out Of Context” When She Claimed Malia White Is “Secretly Gay”
Sandy didn’t give much away else, but she did praise production for successfully pulling off a season during the pandemic by “creating a bubble.” Her crew stringently followed coronavirus guidelines as well. “One of the things I really loved is the crew actually followed those protocols,” Sandy explained, “because, you know, some people are very resistant in that. So, that was awesome.”
RELATED: Fans Slam Malia White After Alex Radcliffe Congratulates Her On Another Below Deck Mediterranean Season
TELL US- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SANDY AND MALIA’S FIGHT? SHOULD MALIA HAVE REPORTED THE INJURY? HOW DO YOU THINK SANDY AND MALIA WILL INTERACT THIS SEASON?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]