21/ 11/ 2024
Written by Ben Willoughby
For anyone who has been part of the yachting industry, it’s no secret that a role on reality TV can be a double-edged sword. My time on Below Deck, where I served as Lead Deckhand in Season 10 and Bosun in Season 11, offered incredible experiences and challenges that helped me grow both personally and professionally. But it also came with a significant downside: the stigma that follows those who appear on the show.
This stigma is most disheartening when it comes from fellow yacht crew members—people who should understand the intricacies of the job but instead choose to dismiss and judge without ever stepping into the world of production. I’ve heard it all: Below Deck paints the industry in a bad light, it’s too dramatic, it misrepresents what we do. But here’s the thing—most of these opinions come from crew members who have no idea what goes into making the show.
"I will fight—and die on this hill—for the amazing cast/crew who’ve taken the brave step to be part of Below Deck."
The reality is that working on Below Deck is far harder than a standard yacht job. As a Bosun on a 60-meter vessel, managing three deckhands is usually more than sufficient for day-to-day operations. But when you add eight camera operators, a rotating cast of producers hopping on and off, and the constant presence of production equipment, the challenges multiply. My safety awareness had to triple to accommodate not just my crew but also the camera team—who, for the sake of getting the perfect shot, often found themselves in precarious positions.
Take anchor drops, crane operations, or tender launches as examples. These moments are already high-stress and high-risk in any yachting environment. Add a camera crew navigating tight spaces to capture every angle, and the risks escalate. As Bosun, it was my responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone involved, often needing to adapt operations in ways that regular yacht crews never have to consider.
These are the kinds of challenges that critics of the show fail to acknowledge. Instead, they parrot opinions they’ve heard from other crew members, warning about how the show misrepresents the industry. But here’s the irony: the yachting industry is already riddled with its own issues, independent of Below Deck. Drugs, alcohol abuse, sex scandals, even tragic crew deaths— these are challenges that exist on real yachts, yet they’re conveniently absent from the screen. To any yacht crew member who thinks they can judge a TV show while ignoring the skeletons in the industry’s own closet, I’d argue that perspective is deeply flawed.
I’ve felt this stigma firsthand. Despite having the skills and experience to excel in the yachting industry, the association with the show has sometimes overshadowed my qualifications. It’s disheartening to know that being part of something meant to celebrate the industry can instead become a barrier to progressing within it.
Even more disappointing is how this stigma can strain personal relationships. In this tight-knit industry, I’ve reached out to friends for work opportunities—only to face hesitation or silence. Unfortunately, reputation often takes precedence over friendship in yachting. A friend may choose not to put you forward or stand in your corner, fearing their own reputation could be tarnished by supporting someone the industry perceives as a “sellout.” It’s a painful realisation that highlights just how deeply reputation is valued in this world.
Despite these challenges, I will fight—and die on this hill—for the amazing cast and crew who’ve taken the brave step to be part of Below Deck. They don’t deserve to be written off or judged based on misconceptions or the actions of a few individuals. Many of us approach the experience with professionalism and integrity, yet we are all lumped into the same category, labelled and judged unfairly by those in the industry.
Here’s the truth: perseverance and the power of a good reference can break through even the toughest stigma. Over time, your work ethic, skills, and dedication will speak louder than any reality TV appearance ever could. Strong references from captains and crew members who truly understand your abilities can outshine the clouds of doubt cast by critics.
To those who continue to critique Below Deck without firsthand knowledge: I challenge you to consider the bigger picture. The show doesn’t define the yachting industry—it’s merely a lens through which it’s seen by the world. If you feel the industry is misrepresented, then ask yourself: what are you doing to represent it better?
At the end of the day, yachting is about teamwork, respect, and professionalism. If we as an industry can’t extend those values to each other, then perhaps the issue isn’t the show—it’s us.
Very well written.