Everything To Know About Below Deck Mediterranean’s Captain Sandy Yawn

Summary

• Captain Sandy Yawn of Below Deck Med is an OG captain with a checkered past but now a well-respected leader with over 30 years of international maritime experience.
• Viewers may find her tendency to micromanage annoying, but her advice comes from a good place, showing she can be a trustworthy boss standing up for her crew.
• In her personal life, Captain Sandy is currently planning her wedding to girlfriend Leah.

Captain Sandy Yawn of Below Deck Mediterranean has been at the helm for the past eight seasons, and there is a lot to know about the OG captain. Even though Captain Sandy has her moments of micromanaging, viewers can see she is excited to teach the next generation. Currently, Captain Sandy has a lot going on in her personal and professional life, and she is currently on Below Deck Med season 9.Below Deck Med was captained by Mike Howard in season 1 before Sandy took over.

The Below Deck franchises have been a favorite for Bravo fans who enjoy watching the drama on the high seas. Even though the drama is never-ending craziness, Captain Sandy keeps a close eye on her crew so that she can steer them in the right direction. Over the years, Below Deck Mediterranean viewers have become annoyed with Captain Sandy’s tendency to micromanage and add her two cents, but most can see her advice is coming from a good place. Time and time again, Captain Sandy has proven she can be a trustworthy boss when she stands up for her crew.

Captain Sandy’s Age, Bio, & Hometown

Captain Sandy Has A Checkered Past

Captain Sandy grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where being on the water and boating became a way of life. While in Florida, Captain Sandy attended Brandon High School, which is located in Hillsborough County. On a past episode of Below Deck Mediterranean, Sandy joked that she was a “troublemaker” growing up. Upon graduating, Captain Sandy went on to get her maritime degree. At almost 60, Sandy has no intention of taking time off from the water, and she loves the adventures it provides.

Captain Sandy also has a checkered past. She was into drug and alcohol misuse when she was younger and also got in trouble with the law. These days, Captain Sandy is sober and is the only Below Deck captain who does not dabble with alcohol. Captain Sandy also had kidney cancer, which she spoke about in Below Deck Med season 9 for the first time It is currently in remission.

Captain Sandy’s Dating History

Captain Sandy Is Planning A Wedding

Captain Sandy revealed that she has liked both women and men in the past but has been dating her girlfriend, Leah Shafer, for several years. The Below Deck Mediterranean star met the gospel singer online through Facebook, and they have been inseparable ever since. The couple, who are now settled down in Denver, Colorado, have had their fair share of ups and downs.

Both Captain Sandy and Leah came under fire for their relationship and religious beliefs, with Leah revealing some organizations no longer supported her after revealing she was dating the captain. However, the couple has pushed the negative comments away and stayed committed to one another. The trailer for Below Deck Med season 9 showed that Captain Sandy proposed to Leah, and viewers will get to see that side of the formidable figurehead in the future this season. She is currently planning her wedding, which Bravoloebrities are sure to attend.

Captain Sandy’s Job

She Has Been A Captain For A Long Time

59-year-old Captain Sandy once told Below Deck Mediterranean fans that she didn’t make the water her career until her former captain helped her get her captain’s license. The Bravo star considers herself a leader, international speaker, and businesswoman, as she has just released her book, Be The Calm Or Be The Storm. Captain Sandy has over 30 years of international maritime experience and has even survived pirates in Yemen. There is no doubt the Bravo star is accomplished, as fans look forward to a new season.

Captain Sandy’s Feud With Captain Lee Rosbach

Will He Be At The Wedding?

Captain Sandy used to be close friends with OG Below Deck captain, Captain Lee Rosbach. However, in recent years they’ve been feuding. It started when Captain Sandy took over for Captain Lee in Below Deck season 10 after Captain Lee had to leave mid-season due to medical issues. While Captain Sandy was at the helm, she fired stewardess Camille Lamb without talking to Captain Lee, and that move started their issues. Captain Lee said he would have liked to be consulted.

Online, Captain Sandy’s now-fiancé Leah jumped in and scolded the captain for bashing Sandy’s decision-making when she was the one doing him a favor by stepping in. Since then, Captain Lee has commented on other things Sandy has done as captain, like her hypocritical rule of not waking the chef. Captain Lee did not get an invitation to Captain Sandy’s wedding, further solidifying the Below Deck Med star’s rift with him.

Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo, then streams the following day on Peacock.

Source: Cheatsheet, Sandy Yawn/Instagram, Sandy Yawn/Instagram, Bravo/YouTube