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Yachts in Below Deck: All Boats of the TV Show (& their Prices!)

The yachts in Below Deck are the real shining stars of the TV show when you are a true sailing enthusiast.

After the success of the original Below Deck seasons shot in the Caribbean and Polynesia on the Bravo TV channel with several spinoff: Below Deck Mediterranean , Below Deck Adventure , Below Deck Sailing Yacht and Below Deck Down Under .

Each spinoff highlights different locations from the Mediterranean hotspots to Australia and even northern Europe, and of course, different yachts.

This article is a summary of ALL the yachts that appeared in Below Deck main serie and the different spinoff: their main specifications, their price, or their availability for charter.

The yachts of the “main” Below Deck seasons

Motoryacht honor : below deck 1st season.

Honor is a 163,8 feet Benetti superyacht, appearing in the first season of the TV show. Her actual name is now Lumiere but was before Sotavento and Cuor di Leone. In the show, the ship was captained by Lee Rosbach around Sint Marteen .

Launched in 1999 and refitted in 2010 and 2020, she accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 cabins. She offers a stunning deskspace with a sprawling sundeck, jacuzzi, outdoor cinema, and a wide range of water toys.

Motoryacht Honor is available for charter from $189,000 per week in the Mediterranean and Motoryacht Honor last selling price was $15,900,000.

Must-Read : How much does it cost to charter a yacht?

Motoryacht Ohana : 2nd season Below Deck

Ohana from a real name Rhino appears in the second season shot in BVI.

This stunning 154′ superyacht has beautiful decks, a stunning outdoor sundeck, and a horseshoe outdoor bar . Launched as Roxanan by Admiral Marine in 1998, she gets a total refit in a modern look after having been showcased.

Accommodating up to 10 guests and 10 crew, she offers a 6 person jacuzzi and a sundeck with a huge barbecue grill.

Motoryacht Honor Ohana was last sold for $9,995,000, you can charter her from $140,000 per week in the Caribbean or North America .

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Motoryacht Eros : Below Deck season 3

Eros or Stay Salty (ex. Mustang Sally) appears in the famous TV show in the 3rd season shot in the Bahamas . The shipyard Trinity Yachts built this 161-foot superyacht in 2008 for Tim Hortons founder. Geoff Vann Aller took care of the exterior design. 

She can accommodate up to 12 guests and 10 crew members and offers a beautiful tri-deck with a saloon and sky-lounge jacuzzi.

Motoryacht Eros charter price starts from $175,000, but she isn’t currently available. Motoryacht Eros was last sold for $17,900,000.

On this topic: How much does it cost to own a yacht?

Valor, the big star, in Below Deck seasons 4, 5 and 7

Valor is the most recurring yacht in Below Deck appearing in seasons 4,5 and 7 respectively shot in the US Virgin Islands, in Saint-Martin, and Phuket in Thailand . 

This 154-foot superyacht built by Feadship in 1990 accommodates up to 12 guests and 11 crew members. Designed by Frits De Voogt, her real name is BG from her owner Bobby Genovese.

With a sprawling aft deck, perfect for sunset dinners and afternoon lounges, boutique hotel-inspired interior, and a wide range of water toys, her weekly charter price starts at $168,000 by winter in the Caribbean and from $170,500 by summer in the Mediterranean.

Motoryacht Valor was bought in 2014 for $11,990,000.

Read also: 5 THINGS ABOUT VALOR SUPERYACHT (PRICE, LOCATION, OWNER)

Motoryacht My Seanna in seasons 6, 8 and 9 of Below Deck

My Seanna is the yacht you see in the 6th and 8th seasons sailing around Tahiti in Polynesia (6th season) and Antigua (8th season). Built-in 2000 by Delta Marine, she is 184,97’ in length. Key features include onboard cinema, jacuzzi, and spacious beach club.

Motoryacht My Seanna weekly charter ranges from $294,000 in the Caribbean and Motoryacht My Seanna purchase price is about $21,900,000.

Read also: Yacht crew positions : Hierarchy, Missions & Salaries explained

Motoryacht St Davis in Below Deck season 10 and 11

The motoryacht St Davis is the star of the latest two Below Deck seasons, including the 11th scheduled to air in February 2024.

While the 10th Below Deck season happened in the very scenic St Lucia, you will see the St Davis in the non less scenic Grenada for the 11th season.

For the yacht enthusiasts, the St Davis is a 197ft (60m) motoryacht by the Benetti shipyard that can be rented from $325,000 / week in the Caribbean. Her last purchase price was at 22,5 million euros.

Yachts featured in Below Deck Mediterranean (spin off)

Motoryacht ionian princess in below deck mediterranean season i.

Ionian Princess was named from the TV show itself when she appears in the first season of Below Deck Mediterranean shot in Greece .

The 150’ was built by the shipyard Christensen, launched in 2005, and last refitted in 2016. She can host up to 12 guests in 6 different cabins and features a stunning and chic design interior, and a sundeck with a jacuzzi.She is listed for sale at $13,750,000 and can be chartered for $175,000 per week but she isn’t currently available.

Read Also : Luxury Yacht Charter – Frequently Asked Questions

Sirocco in Below Deck Mediterranean seasons 2 and 4

Sirrocco is a 154,2 feet superyacht launched in 2006 by the shipyard Heesen. She appears in the second and the fourth seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean shot respectively in Croatia and France.

Sirocco accommodates 12 guests who can enjoy an 8 pax jacuzzi and striking exterior and sundeck. She features an African chic interior and impressive design and amenities. She also offers a nice range of water toys.

Today, she’s available for charter throughout the Mediterranean from $219,000 per week during the low season and she is estimated at around $18 million.

Curious about which Mediterranean island could be good for you? Follow the guide !

Talisman Maiton in Below Deck Mediterranean season 3

You can watch Talisman Maiton, built and launched in 2006 by Proteksan Turquoise, in the third season of Below Deck in the Mediterranean shot in Italy . 

Named for an island in Thailand, her interior is inspired by Asian influences, but most recently refit in 2016 with a timeless Art Deco aesthetic. 

With her 177 feet length, she is suited for housing 12 guests in six rooms in addition to a 13 person crew. She features a sundeck spa pool with a beautiful bar, a full-service gym, and an observation deck with panoramic views.

Her weekly charter starts from $281,500 in the Mediterranean. In 2019, her selling asking price was about $18 million.

The Wellington in the fifth season of Below Deck Mediterranean

The Wellington, from her real name The Wellesley, is a beautiful 184,5 feet Oceanco built-in 2013. This superyacht is owned by Khalid Affara. Donald Starkey recreates with his design the grandeur of the Wellesley Hotel in Knightsbridge. She accommodates up to 12 guests.

Showcased in the 5th season of Below Deck Mediterranean shot in Spain , her charter price goes from $280,000 to $304,500 per week in the Mediterranean.

Lady Michelle in Below Deck Mediterranean 6th season

Lady Michelle is the star of the 6th season of Below Deck Mediterranean shot in Croatia. Her previous names were Cakewalk, Altitude, and Amnesia.

With her 180’, this Benetti superyacht accommodates 12 guests in 6 cabins. Launched in 2003, she got two refits in 2016 and 2018. Lady Michelle features elegant interiors and a spacious aft deck with open lounging, seating, and dining areas. She also offers a vast sundeck with a spa pool and gymnasium, but also a wide range of water toys.

Lady Michelle is available to charter from $275,000 in the Caribbean. She is estimated to $19,5 million.

“Home” motoryacht in the 7th Season of Below Deck Mediterranean

If Home is where the heart is, then the motoryacht “home” is surely the home of many yacht enthusiasts.

This 50m motoryacht built by Heesen truly shined during the 7th season of Below Deck in Malta and her modern interior and features were well highlighted.

Home is available for charter from $245,000 / week , and the purchase price is at €29,500,000.

Mustique motoryacht in the 8th season of Below Deck Mediterranean

The 8th season of Below Deck Mediterranean embarked on the Italian riviera onboard Mustique, a 55m (180ft) motoryacht by Trinity Yachts.

Mustique features an impressive retro interior and spacious outdoor areas that truly shine when combined with the Mediterranean coast of that particular season.

Mustique can be chartered from €230,000 / week . Her last asking price for sale was at $19,000,000.

Yachts featured in Below Deck Sailing Yacht (Spin off)

Parsifal iii luxury sailboat.

Parsifal III appears in the two seasons of the spin-off Below Deck Sailing yacht, captained by Glenn Shepard around Greece (season 1) and Croatia (season 2). Launched in 2005 by Perini Navi, this 177,2ft superyacht was designed by Remi Tessier. She can accommodate a total of 12 guests and 9 crew.

She is available from $237,500 to $274,000 per week to charter her around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean winter time.

In 2016, her selling asking price was $20,5 million.

Yachts featured in Below Deck Adventure (Spin off)

Motoryacht mercury (previously known as malibu and kermit).

In the fourth spin off of Below Deck, the now infamous decided to spice things up a little. Instead of the usual Mediterranean or Caribbean routine, Below Deck went to the less explored (but extremely breathtaking) Norway.

For this new serie filled with adventure, Below Deck picked the motoryacht Mercury, ex Malibu and Kermit, to explore the Fjords Norway is famous for.

Mercury is a 50m motoryacht built by the dutch shipyard Amels, and designed by Terence Disdale.

She can accomodate up to 12 guests and 12 crew onboard. No doubt, that should be enough for this new exciting season.

Mercury is available for charter from $170,000 a week . Her current selling price is $13,500,000 .

Yachts featured in Below Deck Down Under (Spin off in Australia)

Thalassa (keri lee iii): the motoryacht in below deck down under season 1.

Thalassa was the vessel of choice for the Australian Spin off of Below Deck. The real name of the yacht isn’t actually Thalassa but Keri Lee III.

The 181ft (55m) yacht was built by the American shipyard Trinity Yachts and features amenities such as a gym, a jacuzzi and 6 magnificent cabins. The perfect vessel to sail in style the waters of Northeastern Australia.

Keri Lee has a weekly charter rate that starts at AUD310,000 .

Northern Sun: the yacht in Below Deck Down Under Season 2

Below Deck Down Under season 2 explored the coasts around Cairns, the gateway to access the great barrier reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

And it’s hard to imagine a better yacht than the Northern Sun motoryacht to explore this iconic area. The Northern Sun is a 50.8m (now yacht) that used to be a vessel dedicated for ice exploration. The refit work took two years but was clearly worth it when we look at the result displayed in this second season of the Australian Spin off.

Although the Northern Sun is built by the Japanese Narasaki shipyard, it surely is a boat that fits Australian waters quite well and could delight anyone looking to explore the most rugged locations in style, whether they are polar or tropical.

Northern Sun is available for charter from $161,700 / week . Her latest asking price was $15,000,000 .

Read also: 6 THINGS ABOUT ST DAVID BELOW DECK SUPERYACHT (PRICE, LOCATION, OWNER)

More info about Below Deck Yachts?

Our worldwide team of professionals is here to answer all your questions!

FAQ about Below Deck yachts

The yachts in Below Deck Mediterranean are Ionan Princess in season 1, Sirocco in season 2 and 4, Talisman Maiton in season 3, The Wellington in season 5 and Lady Michelle in season 6.

The cheaper yachts from Below Deck can be chartered for $140,000 a week. The most expensive ones have charter costs close to $300,000 per week.

My Seanna is displayed in Below Deck season 6 and 8.

My Seanna can be chartered for $294,000 and has a purchase value of $21,900,000.

Ohana charter price is at $140,000 a week. Her purchase price is around $9,995,000.

Yes, most yachts from Below Deck can be chartered.

The charter price of Eros is $175,000 a week, while its purchase value is around $17,900,000.

The owners of the Talisman are three brothers : Mark, Trevor and David Pears.

The yacht Ohana has a length of 46.94m, or 154′.

Honor can be chartered from $189,000 a week.

The yacht featured in the Below Deck spinoff Below Deck Adventure is Mercury, a 50m motoryacht built by Amels and designed by Terence Disdale.

Mercury is available for charter from $170,000 a week.

The motoryacht Mercury is displayed in the first season of the fourth Below Deck spin off called Below Deck Adventure, shot in Norway.

St Davis is the longest yacht that was used in the Below Deck serie with her 197ft length. It was featured in Below Deck season 10 and 11.

Home, featured in the 7th Season of Below Deck Mediterranean, was so far the most expensive yacht from Below Deck serie with an estimated value of 30 million dollars.

All yachts from Below deck and its spinoff are available for charter.

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Below Deck yacht names revealed - and how much it costs to rent the celebrity superyachts

By Editorial Team |   Last Updated 10 October 2023

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Since 2013, Below Deck has been captivating TV audiences across the globe by offering a voyeuristic peek into life on board multi-million dollar luxury charter yachts . Taking readers behind the scenes, YachtCharterFleet identifies the yachts featured on the show, as well as those which have appeared on the celebrated spin-off series Below Deck: Mediterranean , Below Deck: Sailing , Below Deck: Down Under and the latest iteration, Below Deck: Adventure .

Bravo’s hit reality TV series Below Deck chronicles the lives of crew members who work and reside aboard a luxury yacht during the charter season.

Each season features a different crew configuration, and the episodes show how the crew members interact and deal with personal issues alongside their working lives. The seasons are filmed over six weeks, with every episode featuring a new group of charter guests.

Getting even closer to these Below Deck superstars, we take a look at each of the stand-out features of every yacht that has appeared on the show.

Below Deck (US)

Many crew members are recurring on the show;  the longest-standing is Captain Lee Rosbach, who been on the show since 2013. A fan favourite, he has been at the helm of every yacht on Below Deck and seen a number of different crew formations.

The latest Below Deck season 10 is rumoured to be his final swan song, although his legacy on the show is such that whoever replaces him will have very big shoes to fill.

Among the crew members, Chief Stewardess Kate Chastain was an integral member of the team from season two to season seven. Alongside her, Chef Ben Robinson was a permanent fixture of the crew from season one to season four, before stepping out for season five.

Throughout the course of the show, the yachts have played an important role. 

Hiring a Below Deck yacht will cost from €140,000 per week - and that price doesn't include expenses such as fuel. While some of the yachts were given an alias over the course of filming, their real names can now be revealed below; as well as the exact cost to rent them. 

The largest yacht in the show's history, the 10th and 11th seasons of Below Deck  are set around the Caribbean islands of St Lucia  and Grenada onboard the luxurious 60m (197ft) superyacht ST DAVID . Delivered in 2008 by Italian shipyard Benetti, the yacht has an impressive sleek, supercar-inspired profile that instantly turns heads. 

Onboard highlights include her well-appointed sundeck with sunloungers and sunpads where guests can kick back and relax, a spa pool and her al fresco cinema screen set up for unforgettable movie nights.

One of the yacht's most distinctive features is her sophisticated spiral staircase that leads through all three decks and is lit by a skylight in the spa pool of the sun deck. The yacht is very versatile for a variety of charter party configurations, with room for 12 guests across six elegantly appointed cabins. 

STARSHIP (aka MY SEANNA)

Making an appearance on seasons 9, 8 and 6 of Below Deck , the majestic motor yacht STARSHIP (known on the show as MY SEANNA) is a yacht charter favorite.

The yacht has traveled far and wide for the show cruising to the jaw-droppingly beautiful St Kitts and Nevis in season 9, the sun-kissed Caribbean in season 8 and the  South Pacific  islands of  Tahiti in season 6.

Known for being among one of the most opulent yachts on the charter market due to her ornate interiors and glossy fittings that have been brushed in 22-carat gold, it is safe to say that this yacht is one of the most opulently styled and extensively equipped yachts on the water. Refitted in 2021, the Delta Marine yacht can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins and is extremely versatile for a variety of yacht charter party configurations. 

VALOR (aka BG)

Appearing three times on the hit show, the 47m (153ft) charter yacht BG (known on the show as VALOR) featured in seasons 7, 5 and 4 of Below Deck , taking charter guests to a variety of sun-kissed and beautiful locations. The yacht's real name is BG, and she was built in 1990 by the world's most revered shipbuilder Feadship . Since then, she has undergone many interiors refreshes to keep her in tip-top condition. 

The yacht traveled around Thailand in Season 7  where the crew and viewers were treated to a truly memorable South East Asian experience. From the iconic Phi Phi Islands to the beautiful beaches of Ko Yao Yai, there were plenty of fascinating landmarks to see on the way. Season 5 took viewers to the tranquil cruising grounds of  Saint Martin whilst season 4 saw M/Y BG in the glistening waters of the  Virgin Islands .

Accomodating 12 guests across 6 cabins, she is also capable of carrying up to 10 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

EROS (aka STAY SALTY)

Season 3 of Below Deck was announced after a hugely successful second-season finale, which was the highest-rated episode of the series. The new season saw the crew head to the Bahamas onboard  superyacht STAY SALTY  known on the show as EROS. 

She is equipped with an array of luxurious amenities including an eight-person sundeck Jacuzzi, barbecue and yacht-wide sound system. She also boasts timeless interior styling with intricate wood panelling and a neutral colour palette which helps create an inviting atmosphere for those on board.

The yacht was sold in November 2013 - just before filming for season 3 began - for an asking price of $17.9 million.

OHANA (aka STAR DIAMOND)

Premiering in August 2014, season 2 of Below Deck returned with 13 episodes documenting life on board the slightly smaller superyacht STAR DIAMOND in the British Virgin Islands . Among many other features, the yacht is equipped with a large sundeck, outdoor bar and luxury accommodation for 10 guests.

After filming the series, M/Y STAR DIAMOND was sold for an asking price of $10.9 million and is now on the charter market with a charter rate of $160,000/week. Extensively refit in 2022, the work on the superyacht has included a complete interior refresh, the yacht now features light, modern styling - an engine rebuild and a cabin conversion.

HONOR (aka BARENTS )

The first season of Below Deck premiered on 1 July 2013 after being announced in April 2012. Chartering around the Caribbean , the starring superyacht was named HONOR for the show but chartered under the name CUOR DI LEONE which translates to ‘Lion Heart’ in Italian. She now goes by the name BARENTS . 

Built by Italian shipyard Benetti in 1999 and refit in 2021, the famous vessel has undergone a complete makeover, bringing her up to modern standards. She can accommodate up to 12 charter guests and features luxury amenities for guests to enjoy including state-of-the-art TVs and a sundeck Jacuzzi.

Following the show, superyacht BARENTS was sold for around $15 million and her new owner commissioned a major refit. A great deal of money was spent on updating her interior with a classic-modern style of design as well as on brand-new exterior furniture and entertainment systems.

Below Deck: Mediterranean

Following on from the success of Below Deck , the spin-off  Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in May 2016. While the original series takes place during the winter charter season when the Caribbean is at its peak, Below Deck: Mediterranean is filmed during the summer charter season.

Season one of Below Deck: Mediterranean saw Captain Mark Howard at the helm, but the baton was passed to Captain Sandy Yawn from two onwards. Chief Stewardess Hannah Ferrier was another permanent fixture on the show from season one to five, before leaving the show in season six.

As its name suggests, the show is based in the Mediterranean , the world’s most popular yachting hub from May to October. Despite the change in location, the same format and accompanying on-water antics from the crew and guests alike can be expected. Below, all the names of the superyachts which have appeared on the show, and the cost to rent them.

Season 8 of Below Deck: Mediterranean was aired in September 2023 and brought back yet more antics that included some tense franchise firsts. Set in the Ligurian Riviera, the hit Bravo series returns to Italy for the first time since season 3. The series followed the crew from mid-August until mid-September of 2022 onboard the 180-feet superyacht MUSTIQUE .

Holding up to 12 guests across 6 classically decorated cabins, this yacht is the epitome of elegance with its glossy mahogany paneling and cream upholstery. She is replete with water toys, including kayaks, a seabob, waterskis, and Zapata Flyboards, and has expansive deck areas– offering plenty of scope for both crew and guest antics which make Below Deck: Mediterranean so entertaining.

Season 7 of Below Deck: Mediterranean returned to the screens in July 2022 and brought back more drama and wealthy clientele, creating endless entertainment for viewers at home. Set in Malta , a destination never seen before on the show, the series followed the crew over an eight-week charter season onboard the 49m (160ft) superyacht HOME .

Accommodating up to 12 guests across 6 beautifully decorated staterooms, this yacht is described as a home away from home, the perfect platform for guests to soak up the sunshine, kick back and relax. From her convivial sundeck setup replete with a Jacuzzi and glowing cocktail bar to her panoramic sky lounge and state-of-the-art water toys, this yacht certainly had the wow factor that was required for Below Deck: Mediterranean .

LADY MICHELLE (renamed NEXT CHAPTER)

Season 6 of Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in June 2021 and saw a new vessel,  motor yacht LADY MICHELLE , since re-named NEXT CHAPTER, take center stage. It also saw the return of Captain Sandy and Bosun Malia, plus a brand new crew. 

A floating paradise that turns heads on the water, this heavenly Benetti vessel comfortably accommodates 12 guests across 6 sumptuous staterooms, with additional capacity for up to 12 crew members. She also boasts an open-air cinema, a split-level owner's suite and an impressive array of water toys.

This season takes the crew to one of the most idyllic cruising grounds in the East Mediterranean : Croatia . Abounding with serene golden beaches, crystalline waters and gorgeous coves to explore, it's one of the most popular yacht charter destinations.

THE WELLINGTON (aka THE WELLESLEY)

Season 5 of Below Deck: Mediterranean premiered in the summer of 2020. The show was shot on board the motor yacht THE WELLESLEY , and the superyacht was given the alias THE WELLINGTON over the course of filming. 

The yacht has an elegant 1920's theme, with a chic club lounge complete with a bespoke humidor. She features plenty of marble accents and ample alfresco deck areas, as well as a jacuzzi with innovative spill pool features.

The yachties set course for Spain for this season, cruising around the azure waters of the Balearic Islands . The homeport was Port Adriano on the island of Mallorca .

Featuring in both Season 4 and Season 2 of Below Deck: Mediterranean ,  superyacht SIROCCO  is a yacht charter sensation. An elegant and sophisticated Heesen -built motor yacht, she features plenty of alfresco sunning areas and an 8-person jacuzzi pool; the perfect spot for the charter guests to unwind after a long day exploring.

Season 4 took the crew to one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean ; the South of France . Between the luxury yachting hub of Monaco to the beautiful beaches in St Tropez , this season promises lashings of glitz and glamour. During Season 2 of Below Deck: Mediterranean , M/Y SIROCCO cruised the picturesque waters of  Croatia .

TALISMAN MAITON

Premiering in 2018, season 3 of  Below Deck: Mediterranean saw familiar and new faces head to the sublime cruising grounds of Italy. This time, the crew treated their discerning guests to a world of luxury on board the 54m/178ft motor yacht TALISMAN MAITON .

Built in 2006 and refit to an exacting standard in 2016, the yacht boasts a range of exciting features that make her particularly appropriate for the waters of the Amalfi Coast . Indeed, her entertainment options range from a stunning selection of water toys to a sundeck Jacuzzi and a refreshingly modern interior.

IONIAN PRINCESS

Premiering on 3 May 2016, the very first season of Below Deck: Mediterranean , a spin-off of the increasingly popular franchise, took to viewers' screens. This time the ‘yachties’ took care of their guests onboard the motor yacht IONIAN PRINCESS  in the Mediterranean  destination of Greece . 

The starring yacht IONIAN PRINCESS was delivered from Christensen in 2005 and was later refit in 2016 and again in 2021. Truly opulent, she bears interiors that are sleekly finished with a range of warmly toned woods and plenty of comfortable furnishings. She also boasts one of the largest sundecks for a yacht of her size.

Below Deck: Mediterranean Season 1 yacht IONIAN PRINCESS is not currently available for private yacht charter vacations.

Below Deck: Sailing Yacht

This is the first time the Below Deck franchise branched away from gleaming motor yachts, with the various weather issues that sailing yachts have to contend with adding even more drama and excitement.

The design of luxury sailing yachts  also creates far more confined crew areas than we are used to seeing on the original Below Deck . In general, sailing yachts tend to feature smaller galleys, compact stew stations and cramped crew quarters which are in closer proximity to the guests’ living areas, putting crew under increased pressure to deliver their signature silver service.

In addition, deck crew are placed in a far more demanding role, with sailing yachts requiring increased accuracy and precision to safely maneuver and plenty of deck duties taking place in the midst of guest areas.

PARSIFAL III

An iconic and suitable yacht for the much-loved series Below Deck: Sailing , the 54m (177ft) sailing yacht PARSIFAL III has blessed our screens for all four series of the hit maritime show.

Season 1 saw the sailing yacht cruising around the beautiful islands of Greece , an  East Mediterranean destination that is peppered with an incredible variety of islands. Season 2 was set around the glistening waters of Croatia and in  Season 3 of Below Deck Sailing , M/Y PARSIFAL III came back to where she traditionally charters in the beautiful Balearic island of Menorca . For the latest Below Deck: Sailing Yacht season she ventured around the glittering coastline of Sardinia .

The yacht can comfortably charter up to 12 guests across 5 luxurious cabins with a layout comprising a master suite, two double cabins and two twin cabins.

Below Deck: Down Under

Venturing to the mesmerizing Whitsunday islands in Australia , the much-beloved maritime show released another spin-off of the hit show in April 2022, Below Deck: Down Under . Recorded on Queensland's shores, viewers can see for themselves the impeccable Australian islands and all their beauty as the superyachts, their crew and charter guests travel to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.  

NORTHERN SUN

Below Deck: Down Under  returns to our screens for its second outing, this time on board the 51m (167ft) explorer yacht NORTHERN SUN , with the coastal paradise of Cairns in Australia’s northern Queensland providing the glittering backdrop.

Headed up once more by the handsome Captain Jason Chambers, he is joined by returning chief stewardess, Aesha Scott, along with a brand new crew, including Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, Bosun Luke Jones and stews Laura Bileskaine and Margot Sisson.

Promising another round of crew antics and high drama, the bulk of the action takes place on board the classic explorer yacht, primed for adventure and boasting a wealth of luxurious amenities and an eye-catching exterior, charter guests will be in for a treat.

KERI LEE III (AKA THALASSA)

The perfect yacht for season 1 of Below Deck: Down Under , the 55m (181ft) yacht KERI LEE is the prime candidate for anyone looking for a taste of the superyacht lifestyle. Described as being like Downton Abbey on a boat, the yacht is home to an expansive beauty salon, massage room, gym, jacuzzi and movie theater, so there is definitely enough to keep all charter guests entertained.

In the first season of Below Deck: Down Under , this yacht traveled to some pretty spectacular destinations from the Great Barrier Reef , including the Whitsunday's , Hook Island, Block Reef and Henning Island, giving charter guests the opportunity to witness the outstanding beauty and clear waters of the Pacific .

Below Deck: Adventure

Airing its inaugral season at the end of 2022, Below Deck: Adventure brings more drama than ever before as the show takes viewers beyond the deck and off the yacht as thrill-seeking charter guests embark on a range of extreme and unforgettable experiences around the Norwegian Fjords. Some of the activities include paragliding, exploring unique caves and taking extreme helicopter rides, Below Deck: Adventure provides endless entertainment as well as giving viewers a glimpse of the astonishingly beautiful landscapes in and around  Norway . 

In  Below Deck: Adventure season 1, Capt. Kerry Titheradge leads the crew with Jessica Condy as Chef and Faye Clarke as Chief Stew.

As seen in season 1 of Below Deck Adventure , the 49m (164ft) motor yacht MERCURY is a high-quality and highly reliable Dutch-built luxury charter yacht. Delivered by Amels in 2001, the yacht is to the highest standard and pedigree and boasts a wealth of convivial spaces, perfect for relaxing, unwinding and socializing onboard. 

Home to an impressive array of amenities, standout highlights include an expansive Jacuzzi, a large swim platform for easy access to the water and a gym. An advanced stabilization system on board reduces the side-to-side roll of the yacht and promises guests exceptional comfort levels at anchor or when underway.

Interested in a Below Deck yacht rental?

For more details on chartering any of the above yachts, speak to your preferred charter broker . They can provide you with personalized information and advice concerning your vacation, creating an itinerary that perfectly caters to your individual needs.

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BELOW DECK YACHTS FOR CHARTER

60m Benetti 2008 / 2019

56m Delta Marine 2001 / 2021

56m Oceanco 1993 / 2016

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54m Turquoise Yachts 2006 / 2016

54m Perini Navi 2005 / 2012

51m Narasaki Shipyard 1976 / 2007

50m Benetti 1999 / 2021

50m Amels 2001 / 2006

50m Heesen 2017

47m Feadship 1990 / 2022

47m Heesen 2006 / 2013

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Capt. Glenn Shephard and his crew set sail in a luxury sailing yacht to explore the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The sailing yacht brings new challenges to these young, attra... Read all Capt. Glenn Shephard and his crew set sail in a luxury sailing yacht to explore the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The sailing yacht brings new challenges to these young, attractive and adventurous yachties. Capt. Glenn Shephard and his crew set sail in a luxury sailing yacht to explore the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ionian Sea. The sailing yacht brings new challenges to these young, attractive and adventurous yachties.

• Mark Cronin
• Doug Henning
• Rebecca Taylor Henning
• Glenn Shephard
• Daisy Kelliher
• Colin Macrae
• 36 User reviews
• 3 nominations

Episodes 74

Top cast 36

• Self - Captain

• Self - Chief Steward

• Self - Chief Engineer

• Self - First Mate

• Self - Deckhand

• Self - Chef

• Self - Junior Steward

• Self - 2nd Steward

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• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia Below Deck Sailing Yacht will introduce Parsifal III. The 177-foot yacht sleeps 12 guests at a time and typically has a nine-member crew, according to Yacht Charter Fleet. To charter the yacht, prices start at $195,000 for a week. During high season, though, a week on the yacht is expected to cost around $225,000.
• Connections Edited into Below Deck Galley Talk (2021)

User reviews 36

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• Jun 20, 2022
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• February 3, 2020 (United States)
• 51 Minds Entertainment
• Little Wooden Boat Productions
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• Runtime 43 minutes

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The fate of below deck sailing yacht after season 5 isn't promising (the show's reputation is damaged).

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20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now

I'm convinced below deck mediterranean solidified chef johnathan shillingford as a producer plant (he’s getting special treatment), the golden bachelor's theresa nist shades heartbreaker gerry turner's divorce explanation after damaging reputation.

• Gary's sexual misconduct scandal has permanently tarnished Below Deck Sailing Yacht.
• Bravo must remove Gary from future seasons for the show to regain its reputation.
• Season 5 may be in danger of cancellation due to Gary's scandal.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 is highly anticipated, but its fate isn't promising after Gary King 's sexual misconduct scandal was revealed. Captain Glenn Shephard leads the cast of the exciting spin-off aboard the Parsifal III, with Gary, Colin Macrae, and Daisy Kelliher's love triangle as the pinnacle of season 4's drama. However, after Gary's sexual misconduct allegations were revealed and later brushed under the rug by Bravo producers, the popular franchise staple could be in danger. Will Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 return?

During Below Deck Sailing Yacht filming in the summer of 2022, makeup artist Samantha Suarez escorted cast members back and forth for confessional interviews, including Gary. After a talking head in which Gary was visibly intoxicated, Samantha walked him back to his quarters, at which time Gary prevented her from leaving, even grabbing her from behind. While Bravo issued a statement, the allegations were barely addressed, and Gary still allegedly filmed Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5.

Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

Gary King's Misconduct Scandal Has Put A Permanent Negative Stain On BDSY

Gary needs to go.

Gary's sexual misconduct scandal has put a permanent stain on Below Deck Sailing Yacht . He's openly struggled with professionalism and alcohol on the show for years. Additionally, this isn't the first time alcohol has gotten Gary in trouble with sexual harassment. While Daisy came to his defense, his love triangle with Daisy and Colin was also problematic, with Gary becoming distracted by the Below Deck drama. By casting Gary in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5, Bravo indicated that sexual misconduct wasn't taken seriously by the network .

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Needs To Bring It For Bravo To Order Another Season

The series is in trouble.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 has allegedly already been filmed, with rumors swirling that Gary's scandal has halted its release. Given his prominence in the series, it would be difficult to edit Gary out of the show or even reduce his role. Therefore, it would be better for Bravo to scrap the current season entirely and film a new charter season for Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 .

It's the responsibility of Bravo producers to ensure the safety of the cast and crew during filming, and Samantha wasn't adequately protected from Gary's advances.

The cast and crew would need to bring it to revitalize the spin-off, or it's going to get canceled. Below Deck , Below Deck Mediterranean , and Below Deck Down Under are successful enough to continue without Below Deck Sailing Yacht . The popular cast members could go to another Below Deck series.

What Can Below Deck Sailing Yacht Producers Do To Fix The Show's Reputation?

They need to get rid of gary.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a sinking ship , but not all hope is lost. Bravo producers have already shown their understanding of the seriousness of Gary's sexual misconduct by disinviting him to BravoCon in 2023. However, they need to further distance themselves from Gary and fire him from future seasons. If it's impossible to decrease his presence in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5, the season needs to be scrapped. Only then can Below Deck Sailing Yacht return in good faith and conscience for another installment.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available to stream on Peacock.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Not available

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 Cast: Where Are They Now?

Here's what happened to Daisy, Colin, Captain Glenn and the rest of the Parsifal crew.

While Season 1 of the Below Deck 's second spin-off Sailing Yacht felt tame—for lack of a better word—fans have been in for quite a treat with a nearly all-new and far more exciting cast for Season 2. So far, we've been introduced to the likes of Chief Engineer Colin Macrae, Chef Natasha, and Chief Stewardess, Daisy, all of whom have become fan favorites, and rightfully so. As the crew navigates the waters of Croatia, that isn't the only thing they're sailing through. With a plethora of hookups and questionable charter guests, this season is shaping up to be one of the rockiest.

Considering the series filmed in August 2020, viewers are curious about the whereabouts of our Sailing Yacht favorites...and, more importantly, how the cast and crew managed to film for several weeks amid lockdown. As it turns out, the location of this season was chosen intentionally. At that time, Croatia remained one of few countries in the EU to accept American tourists. In a Reddit AMA , a producer for the show also explained that maintaining safety protocols (which likely included regular Covid testing) was key in filming this season.

Here's what happened to your favorite crew members from Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2:

Colin Macrae

Colin Macrae might serve as the Chief Engineer aboard the Parsifal III, however, when it comes to the inner workings of his relationship, things aren’t as black and white. Despite gushing over his relationship with Martina Alvarez last summer, Macrae revealed that he and Martina have officially parted ways. “Unfortunately my relationship with Martina came to an end a couple of months ago,” Colin captioned his most recent YouTube video . Although his romance is no more, Colin remains optimistic for what’s to come as he embarks on a “fresh start” in none other than Panama. Colin has also continued his efforts in creating content online documenting his many adventures in Linton Bay, Panama , where he’s resided over the course of the last few months.

Glenn Shephard

Captain Glenn Shephard is back and better than ever! The sailboat captain may only have 2 seasons of Below Deck under his belt, but his 20 years of experience certainly make him a notable addition to the Bravo family. Since his summer in Croatia last year, Gl enn has since moved to Spain , which Shephard has deemed his new “happy place.” While becoming a Bravo-lebrity can go to one’s head, Glenn has remained modest when it comes to his newfound fame. The star now offers Zoom sessions with fans of the show, where he dishes on behind-the-scenes details all while sipping cocktails on the Spanish coast.

First Officer Gary King walked away from his very first season on Below Deck Sailing Yacht feeling nothing but grateful. “Reminiscing about the last 6 weeks that have just flown by. I learned lessons that I’ll carry for life,” Gary wrote on Instagram . While fans have been rooting for him and fellow stewardess, Alli Dore to set sails on a possible romance, it appears as King has been flying solo since the series ended. After traveling about to a number of stunning locations, including Mallorca, Spain, Gary returned home to South Africa just in time for Christmas. The Bravo star has since remained in his home country, occupying himself with a series of visits to the golf range and a new passion for landscape photography and cooking.

Natasha De Bourg

The Michelin-star chef has been tuning in this season from her home in the Bahamas, and, well, she hasn't taken to it favorably. The star has posted a series of pics on her Instagram detailing her frustrations with herself on the show, claiming that she is “human and humans are imperfect.” Luckily for Natasha, her friendship with both Dani and Alli has blossomed immensely since wrapping up, and the two have been a huge support for Natasha as she cruises through these waves of criticism.

Daisy Kelliher

Being the Chief Stewardess on any yacht is no easy feat, and Daisy Kelliher is certainly feeling the burn. Following her time at sea in Croatia, Daisy, unfortunately, broke her wrist and found herself back home with mom and dad in Ireland . During lockdown, Daisy accepted a job in Antigua two months later, however, due to the current situation, her efforts at finding adventure fell flat. “I had completely lost myself,” Daisy captioned her photo on Instagram , revealing she began pushing friends away and entered a dark space. Luckily for the Below Deck star, she feels like herself again and is set to start a new job. During a live chat, Daisy revealed to co-star, Sydney Zaruba that she is most likely headed back to Europe, although she’s left much of what she’ll be doing a mystery.

Dani Soares

Dani Soares soared to being a fan favorite this current season and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. Soares, who reigns all the way from Brazil, has gone on to make quite a name for herself since her summer in Croatia. The star currently resides in Sydney, Australia where she is expecting her very first child. Dani revealed the news on social media back in April, however, both her due date and daddy status remain unknown. Although fans have inquired who the father is, Soares made it clear that it isn’t “anybody’s business.” As she embarks on her journey towards motherhood, Dani is currently working as a beauty therapist in the land down under all while taking in her recent rise to fame.

Alli Dore is the third stewardess to join the hit Bravo series, and boy are we glad she did. After wrapping up her summer in Croatia, Alli returned home to Australia, where she was born and raised. Her love for boating didn’t stop when the summer did, as she went on to spend her time in the Whitsundays Islands. As for Alli’s personal life, the star made an appearance on the Unpopular podcast where she revealed that she is pansexual. [I am] “attracted to people’s aura,” she revealed. Alli has gone on to start her very own IGTV series called Pita Party , which she stars in alongside Sailing Yacht co-stars, Daisy and Dani.

Sydney Zaruba

Sydney Zaruba found herself in quite the love triangle last summer in Croatia, but today, she is all about keeping her inner circle small. Sydney, who was born and raised in Florida, moved on over to the stunning island of Mallorca, Spain where she currently works on a 42-meter sailing yacht! This is nothing new for Sydney; considering her experience on Below Deck and, of course, her long history of sailing with her family. In addition to being at sea, Sydney decided to become a travel agent with Explorateur Travel. While the cast of Sailing Yacht has gone their separate ways since the summer ended, Sydney still managed to bump into none other than Captain Glenn on the streets of Palma.

Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux

Jean-Luc may be the youngest Below Deck crew member but he certainly makes up for it in height? Following his summer working on the Parsifal III, Jean-Luc traveled to Mallorca, Spain, an idea many of his co-stars had as well. Shortly after, the 25-year-old made his way on over to Costa Rica , which he’s called home for the last several months. Despite the remarkable views, Jean-Luc is entering some rocky waters as a plethora of rumors have surfaced questioning his role in Dani Soares’ pregnancy. Not only have fans been flooding his social media with questions concerning whether he’s the father or not, but fellow charter guest, Barrie Drewitt-Barlow also went on to add fuel to the fire. In an Instagram video posted back in April, Barrie claimed that Jean-Luc “was too busy getting the other one [Dani] pregnant … He’s gonna be a daddy,” he said. While Dani laughed off the comment, Jean-Luc has yet to address the rumors.

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Below Deck Yachts

If you’ve never seen the show, it follows the crew of a luxury yacht during peak “charter season.” The original Below Deck, for example, showed off the glitz and glamour of the Caribbean, especially around St. Thomas, the British Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas. The Mediterranean spin-off, on the other hand, highlights European hotspots, including Italy, Spain and Croatia.

The show is undeniably a ton of fun. From the drama in the crew quarters, to the incredible beaches, the show provides an entertaining look behind the curtain.

Yet, the chartered superyachts are the real stars of the show. Each season, Below Deck features a truly stunning super yacht. All of them measure over 150 feet and are decked out in opulent features, staterooms and amenities. And here’s something you might not know: The majority of the Below Deck yachts are available for charter!

Below Deck Charter Yachts

Through five seasons, Below Deck has featured some of the most magnificent super yachts in the world. Some of the yachts have changed ownership since the show, been renamed, or have undergone a refitting. Yet, most look like they did from the show.

But beyond the name and maybe a few changes to the interior, there aren’t many differences. All of the water toys, Jacuzzis and stunning outdoor dining areas are what you’ll find on the yachts available for charter! So which charter yachts are available?

Here’s a more detailed look at the yachts featured on the original Below Deck:

Honor – Season 1

Honor (which is now LUMIERE) kicked off the first season, and she put on a dazzling display. The yacht, originally built by Benetti in 1999, is one of the largest yachts ever featured on the show, and it was actually booked for a five-week charter for filming.

HONOR benefited from the new-found fame of the show. She sold after it aired for nearly $15 million, and the new owners completely refit her interiors and renamed the boat. Today, LUMIERE is a masterpiece of nautical engineering.

She features luxurious accommodations for up to 12 guests and an abundance of deck space, including a sprawling sun deck. The yacht also features a wide array of water toys (the slide was a struggle for the crew all season!).

Ohana – Season 2

Season 2 took the crew on a tour of the British Virgin Islands and featured some familiar faces. Captain Lee, Chef Ben, and Bosun Eddie were back, much to the pleasure of fans. Yet, the yacht was completely different.

OHANA (real name is RHINO) was featured on the second season, a stunning 154-footer, with beautiful decks, a horseshoe outdoor bar, and a stunning outdoor sun deck. After the show aired in 2014, Ohana underwent an extensive retrofit.

She now features an updated interior with a decidedly modern, airy vibe, as well as new hardware, including a state-of-the-art stabilization system.

Eros – Season 3

EROS took centerstage in Season 3, and the 161-foot yacht, originally built for the founder of Tim Hortons, was one of the most luxurious featured on the show. The beautiful tri-deck, featured a stately saloon, a sky lounge Jacuzzi, and sleek exterior styling.

EROS – which was sold prior to the third season – has since been renamed and was also remodeled. She’s now known as Mustang Sally, and unfortunately, this is one of the few Below Deck charter yachts that’s not available for charter.

Valor – Seasons 4 & 5

The stately VALOR was a fan favorite in Season 4 and 5. Built in 1990 by Dutch-based Feadship, the 154-foot VALOR featured a sprawling aft deck, perfect for sunset dinners and afternoon lounges. Plus, the ship – when featured on the show – had a range of water toys, including dual jet skis and a sleek, boutique hotel-inspired interior.

Like Mustang Sally, VALOR – which is now known as simply BG – isn’t available for charter. Yet, fans will always remember all the drama that took place on board.

Below Deck Mediterranean Yachts

Below Deck Mediterranean premiered in 2016, and through three seasons, the show has featured some of the Med’s best yachts. All of the yachts from the Mediterranean spin-off are available for charter, exactly how you see them on the show.

Ionian Princess – Season 1

Season 1 of Below Deck Mediterranean launched with a bang, featuring one of the strongest premieres for the franchise. Although there was plenty of drama throughout the season as the crew traveled around Greece, the beauty of IONIAN PRINCESS couldn’t be missed. The ship, which was originally built in the U.S. in 2005, featured a sleek, streamlined tri-deck design and gorgeous interiors.

The sun deck – where guests partied all season long – is one of the yacht’s star attractions, featuring a Jacuzzi with world-class views. Her interior, though, is one of the most stunning, featuring a chic design. The yacht also includes six cabins with accommodations for up to 12 guests.

Sirocco – Season 2

Season 2 took the crew to Croatia, aboard SIROCCO. The Dutch-built yacht originally launched in 2006, and thanks to its unique two-tone, third-deck exterior, she was remembered for her striking exterior. All of the yacht’s features made great TV. From her incredible sun deck, to the African chic interior, and all of the many water toys, SIROCCO’s impressive design and amenities stood out.

Today, she’s available for charter throughout the Mediterranean. A few unique features include a sun deck gym, an alfresco party deck, a theatre, and a wide array of water toys.

Talisman Maiton – Season 3

Named for an island in Thailand, TAILSMAN MAITON is a stunning tri-deck that cruises the pristine waters of Italy and all of the Mediterranean. The largest to ever be featured on the show, TAILSMAN is truly incredible.

The yacht accommodates 12 guests, in 6 beautifully appointed rooms. There’s a master suite, as well as 1 VIP stateroom, and four smaller cabins. The yacht was built in 2006, but most recently refit in 2016 with a timeless Art Deco aesthetic. The yacht also features a sundeck spa pool with a beautiful bar, a full-service gym, and an observation deck with panoramic views.

How Long Are the Below Deck Charters?

Here’s a little-known secret about Below Deck: The “charter season” on the show is just a few weeks. In fact, the yachts are actually booked for about six weeks, and their regular crews are sent home. In other words, the charters on Below Deck are actually a charter within a charter!

Each of the Below Deck charters last just a few days, and each episode features new charter guests.

Below Deck Yacht Rental Costs

Hiring a yacht from Below Deck isn’t cheap. The majority cost in the neighborhood of $150,000 per week. Yet, that charter rate doesn’t include expenses, including fuel, dockage fees, and taxes.

Yet, for that price, you’ll get a truly world-class experience. The crews of each of these yachts provide first-class service and all of the boats are fully loaded with amenities. There’s nothing quite like it in the world. And by hiring one of these superyachts, you’ll also have bragging rights for chartering a yacht featured on a TV show!

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Captain Glenn Shephard Ignores The Gary King Backlash (Is He Condoning Bad Behavior?)

Captain Glenn Shephard from Below Deck Sailing Yacht hasn’t addressed the backlash surrounding Gary King’s sexual misconduct allegations. The reality yachting show debuted its first season in 2020, utilizing the classic format of the mainstay series that spotlights the lives of the crew working on luxurious sailing yachts. Gary and Daisy Kelliher joined the cast during BDSY season 2 and remained fixtures of the spin-off. As the First Officer, Gary was known as a womanizer in the series. Each charter season, he hooked up with multiple women and never settled down .

During last season, it was shockingly revealed that Gary and Daisy had hooked up in the past. When the Chief Stew began a boatmance with Colin Macrae, Gary got jealous and tried to derail their budding boatmance, with Gary's behavior being referred to as problematic and creepy by fans. However, the fate of the show was put into question when Gary was accused of sexual misconduct by a former makeup artist who worked on the series. Despite the allegations, he seemingly will appear in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 , though Captain Glenn hasn’t spoken up about the situation.

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Captain Glenn Has Been Busy Traveling

Hes been traveling with his partner lately.

After BDSY season 4, Captain Glenn began traveling with his girlfriend. Instead of worrying about addressing the allegations against Gary, the captain was busy living his life. However, Captain Glenn and Gary notably formed a close relationship on the show. He admitted during the reunion for the fourth season that he “ subconsciously ” favors the First Officer over the crew in the interior department, so it’s not surprising that he hasn’t spoken out against him.

Captain Glenn Hasn't Commented On Gary King's Return To Below Deck Sailing Yacht

No one has said much about garys potential return in season 5.

While the captain seemingly still supports Gary, he hasn’t released any official comments about his future on the show. He rumoredly was filming for BDSY season 5 when the allegations broke, and some speculated he may have stayed on the crew despite the scathing news. It would be good to hear from Captain Glenn regarding the situation, though the network will likely be the first entity to release any official information regarding Gary and the sexual misconduct allegations. Bravo did respond to the claims in the 2023 Rolling Stone article , though that may be their only time addressing the situation.

Captain Glenn Still Supports Gary

They seem to still be close friends.

In the wake of the allegations against Gary , the captain showed his support with a comment on his Instagram account. He posted a picture of himself in “ a sea of daises ” in November 2023 addressing the accusations, writing that “ It’s sad that people will do anything in their power to bring you down ” while using multiple hashtags, including, “ #iwascancelledbecauseofalie .” Captain Glenn commented with a thumbs-up emoji that has seemingly been deleted but was reported by Us Weekly . The captain has been vocal in his support of Gary before and after the allegations.

Roughly one year since Gary’s alleged sexual misconduct was revealed, the captain hasn’t responded to the claims. Captain Glenn has always had a good relationship with the First Officer and has shown him support over the years. The show's future is unclear, though Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 is on its way soon.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Peacock.

Sources: Gary King /Instagram, Us Weekly

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.

Cast Daisy Kelliher, Colin Macrae, Gary King, Glenn Shephard

Release Date February 3, 2020

Genres Reality-TV

Network Bravo

Franchise(s) Below Deck

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‘Below Deck’ Sailing Yacht Shares Chilling Link To Sunken Morgan Stanley Billionaire’s Boat ‘Bayesian’

The plot thickens...

Much has been made of the tragic events that unfolded earlier this week off the Sicilian coast, with the Morgan Stanley international chairman initially missing before being found dead alongside tech founder Mike Lynch. Adding more intrigue to the tale, a strange link between the sunk Bayesian yacht and hit show Below Deck has been uncovered…

The Italian shipyard Perini Navi, which built the PARSIFAL III — the yacht featured in the popular reality show Below Deck that rammed a pier due to an engine malfunction — is also the maker of the Bayesian , which tragically sank on August 19.

PARSIFAL III Misadventure

Below Deck is an American reality TV series that made its debut in 2013 on Bravo TV . The show, to date, is running on season 11, with a new cast of crews on every luxury superyacht during its chartering season. Their challenges while catering to wealthy guests are depicted on the show. The PARSIFAL III , a 177-foot yacht, suffered a big mishap during an episode of the show’s second Sailing Yacht season which first aired on May 17, 2021.

While trying to maneuver in bad weather, the yacht hit a dock because its engine broke down. In an explanation, Yacht’s Captain Glenn Shephard said:

“I was using a different maneuver mode. And there’s a computer in between the throttles and the propeller that adjusts the load on the engine. Maybe my inputs were too much for the computer and it kind of, I don’t know, froze or didn’t react in the right way. I’m not really 100 percent sure. But I was pushing ahead and it was still moving backwards, which is not normal.”

Some of the wreckage was visible floating in the sea after the accident. Luckily, no serious damage was caused in this crash. Launched in 2005, PARSIFAL III can accommodate up to 12 charter guests in a master suite, two double cabins, and two twin cabins. The yacht also has a Jacuzzi and two Open Bic sailboats for guests to play with.

Not So Lucky

The Bayesian , also created by Perini Navi, was not as lucky. Sailing in a sudden and strong squall that created too much wind and conditions for the yacht to handle, the vessel sank after its mast broke in half off the coast of Sicily near the fishing village of Porticello   in the early hours of Monday.

Of the 22 people on board at the time of the tragedy, 15 were rescued, while six others lost their lives, among them being the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, Jonathan Bloomer, and tech tycoon Mike Lynch.

His daughter Hannah Lynch, 18, is still missing, and rescuers are frantically searching for her. Lynch was a British technology entrepreneur who achieved fame through his software company, Autonomy Corporation, which Hewlett-Packard bought for over $11 billion USD in 2011.

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The 10 Best Stews on the Below Deck Franchise, Ranked

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Setting sail across the seas on a megayacht is a vacation many dream of but only some can achieve. Whether it's in the pristine waters of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, the experience is only as good as the team onboard makes it. Across the Below Deck franchises, there have been some incredible stews that have gone above and beyond at their job, while also providing some of the best entertainment. We will be focusing on the interior team of ladies, and gentlemen, who rose to the occasion, but also provided some excellent television. This list will not include any of the stews that ultimately got promoted to Chief Stews. We can save them for another time.

Below Deck is the hit Bravo series that watches the crew aboard some of the world's most luxurious yachts cater to the lavish whims of the high rollers. Documenting the work and play of the yachites, Below Deck has launched four spin-off series, making it one of the most successful franchises on the network. The stews working these luxury vessels go above and beyond for their guests. It's time to celebrate the best of the best from across the Below Deck Cinematic Universe.

10 Madison Stalker

'below deck sailing yacht', season 1.

The first season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht was filled with a lot of learning curves. While the entire cast, sans Captain Glenn Shephard , got sacked following Season 1, there was one stewardess who was competent in a sea of incompetence. Madison Stalker was exceptional at her job.

She tried to stay positive during the season, but she often butted heads with Chief Stew Jenna Macgillivray simply because Jenna was way too obsessed with her relationship with Chef Adam Glick . Despite being the second stew, Jenna treated Madison poorly, causing her to feel miserable on Parsifal III. She didn't let that affect her work. Meanwhile, her stewardess cohort, Georgia Grobler , was so busy trying to win the heart of a taken man that Madison had to pick up her slack as well. Had Below Deck Sailing Yacht not had a disastrous first season, it's likely Madison might have had a chance to continue her tenure on the show.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Not available

'Below Deck', Seasons 1 and 2

Kat Held is a tale of two stews. As part of the season that kicked off the entire franchise, Kat epitomized the reality television side of Below Deck . She was loud and over-the-top. She knew the cameras were rolling and ensured that she would be a breakout star. She had a boatmance with Chef Ben Robinson . She was constantly at odds with the overly intense Chief Stew Adrienne Gang . She defied the orders of Captain Lee Rosbach, but she emerged as one of the stars from the first season.

She was brought back for Season 2 and everything changed. Not only did she have a better working relationship with the crew, she proved that working on the yacht took president over the reality television portion of the show. She became thick as thieves with Chief Stew Kate Chastain , but in the process, they alienated third stew Amy Johnson . Kat is one of the reasons Below Deck took off. Her redemption story arc was one to celebrate.

8 Anastasia Surmava

'below deck mediterranean', season 4.

Oftentimes, crew members on Below Deck are hired for a singular role, but they may produce other skills that prove beneficial for other departments. During Season 4 of Below Deck Mediterranean , Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier had the dream team on the interior. Comprised of second stew Aesha Scott and third stew Anastasia Surmava , it appeared that everything was going to be smooth sailing for Hannah.

That was until Chef Mila Kolomeitseva proved to be an absolute disaster and was fired. With no chef on board, Captain Sandy Yawn called upon Anastasia's culinary skills and background as a yacht to save the day. Anastasia saved the day aboard the motoryacht Sirocco, until Chef Ben Robinson officially arrived to be the chef for the final charters of the season. While Anastasia was cooking, Hannah was temporarily given a new stew, June Foster , who was certainly a downgrade from Anastasia. No matter where Anastasia worked, she was praised. Anastasia's well-rounded skills made her an exceptional asset to the team. Had Anastasia not been placed in the galley, the season would never have provided the infamous "June June" over the radio.

Below Deck Mediterranean

7 brianna adekeye, 'below deck', season 5.

Sometimes, being great at your job means you're not the best at television. Brianna Adekeye was so great at her job, that viewers may have missed her because she did the job she was hired to do. But it also might have been because she was picking up the slack as Chief Stew Kate Chastain was dealing with the disasters that third stew Jen Howell caused.

Brianna was a free-spirited soul and maintained her composure when Jen tried to throw Brianna under the bus for her failures. No matter how much drama was caused, Brianna rose above it. While she may not have engaged in the drama, she certainly was thrust into situations she didn't want to be in.

6 Kyle Viljeon

'below deck mediterranean', seasons 7 and 8.

Yes, you could easily put Kyle Viljeon on a list as one of Below Deck 's biggest villains, but when it comes to best stews, he's up there. He was commendable as a stew. Sure, he did often push the boundaries and cross the line of professionalism, but his two seasons on Below Deck Mediterranean were fire. As a huge personality, the South African riled up the crew, playing into the drama while stirring the pot. As one of the gay stews that have appeared on the show, he launched himself into fan-favorite status with his flirty fling with charter guest Frank Fay .

It's always important to go above and beyond for the guests, so he saved that smooch for after Frank's charter was over following a club night off the boat. During Season 7, Kyle formed a strong bond with fellow stew Natalya Scudder , but these besties turned rivals the next season. They both sought to assert their dominance following Natalya becoming third stew when Chief Stew Tumi Mhlongo was told to watch out for her by Kyle. Kyle is one of the best characters throughout the Below Deck Cinematic Universe.

5 Dani Soares

'below deck sailing yacht', season 2.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2 had a major refresh that helped save the series. While fans fell in love with the three best friends, Gary King, Colin Macrae , and Daisy Kelliher , they first saw stew Dani Soare fall in love with the much younger deckhand Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux . Dani was another cast member whose main goal was to do her job and ensure she received a good tip at the end of each charter. But it almost went to shambles when she became smitten with the tall deckie.

Much of her storyline revolved around the life she wanted to start after her time on Parsifal III. She felt that she was getting up there in age, her desire to be a mother was discussed often. As fate would have it, Dani did become pregnant, creating quite a scandal during the reunion. JL didn't attend, not allowing him to defend himself following accusations that he didn't want to be involved in the child's life. He eventually sat down with Andy Cohen to discuss the comments in a separately recorded conversation. While Dani's time on the show will be remembered for her love story, she should also be praised for the great work she did.

4 Emily Warburton-Adams

'below deck', season 4.

Emily Warburton-Adams was the sweet English Rose of Below Deck Season 4. Another stew who was exceptional at her job, Emily caught the eye of Chef Ben Robinson . While he did try to distract her from her duties, she kept her eye on the prize and let their boatmance flourish, temporarily, after the season.

The only problems Emily seemed to face came from Chief Stew Kate Chastain , who had a very close connection with Ben and felt she was replaced. Emily was truly a rare one during a very mild season, which made her one of the best stews of the Below Deck Cinematic Universe.

3 Hayley De Sola Pinto

'below deck', season 10.

A great personality can get you far in the yachting industry! Such was the case for the fabulous Hayley De Sola Pinto . Season 10 of Below Deck was like a revolving door of crew as people were fired and Captain Lee Rosbach had to depart due to a nerve issue. The bright spot during all of the darkness was third stew Hayley. She got along swimmingly with Chief Stew Fraser Olender . Especially as she was the ear he turned to during the Camille Lamb-Alissa Humber fiasco.

She was proficient at her job and stayed out of the immense drama that the rest of the interior team endured. Hayley's vibrant personality and ability to make crew and guests smile was her best asset. Fans were disappointed when Hayley didn't return for another season, but there's always other superyachts in the Below Deck Cinematic Universe.

2 Josiah Carter

'below deck', season 6.

Josiah Carter made history as the first male stew to appear on Below Deck . Literally being Chief Stew Kate Chastain 's right-hand man, Josiah proved that he was just so good at every aspect of the interior. With another disaster stew on their team, Josiah and Kate formed a close bond as they had to fend off the problems Caroline Bedol caused for them.

How they said goodbye to her though is the only dark spot during his Below Deck tenure. Josiah was constantly praised by his superiors and the guests alike. Had Josiah not stepped away, and there been an opening available, Josiah would have made an excellent chief stew. It's the charm!

1 Amy Johnson

'below deck', seasons 2 and 3.

During her first season on Below Deck , Amy Johnson had a bit of a rough go. She never did anything wrong, her sweet-as-pie Southern charm just didn't vibe well with Chief Stew Kate Chastain . Oh, and having to watch your brother engage in a boatmance wasn't easy. So, she flirted with Eddie Lucas , causing tension between her brother, Kelley Johnson , and his colleague.

Nevertheless, Amy was invited to return for Season 3, where she and Kate were not only able to get along, but they formed an incredible tandem. Well, that may have been because they were able to rely on one another as they endured Hurricane Rocky Dakota , their problematic third stew. Amy was the definition of service with a smile. While she may not have been the over-the-top personality you'd want from a reality star, she certainly was someone you wished would be part of the team if you charted a yacht.

KEEP READING: Captain Jason Chambers Gives an Update on Season 3 of 'Below Deck Down Under'

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Breaking news, i lived ‘below deck’ on a luxury yacht — here’s what you need to know.

Tahiti, St. Thomas and the French Riviera — I’ve yachted in all of these exotic locales, albeit from the comfort of my couch. And, millions of Americans are in the same boat.

In 2013, “Below Deck,” introduced the masses to the most glamorous mode of traveling: yachting. Since then, it’s become a Bravo mainstay with Season 9 of “Below Deck Mediterranean’’ premiering in June.

But how real is the reality show? I spent five nights on a yacht in Croatia to find out.

A tip on tipping

My suitcase wasn’t bursting with Benjamins. An agency at your final destination provides cash for the crew’s tip money. While you’re expected to tip $30,000 for a two-night cruise on “Below Deck,” in real life you only have to tip 10% to 15% of your charter fee. That’s about $10,000 for a two-night cruise on a 180-foot charter yacht like Mustique (from $250,000 a week), which stars in the new season.

According to Zvonimir Androić, president of the yacht charter company Via Croatia, more often than not, the tip comes from what’s left over after provisioning.

So, shun the Dom Pérignon and skip the beluga caviar, and you’ll have money to spare.

What’s up, dock?

In real life, “Below Deck’s” favorite commercial-break cliff-hanger isn’t nearly as dramatic. Docking in our yacht, Via Croatia’s five-cabin, 100-foot Adriatic Escape (from $52,800 a week), was breezy.

I asked the crew if they hated setting up the slide — a tortuous, Herculean task if you believe what you see on TV.

“It’s not that bad,” a twentysomething Croatian deckhand, as cute as his on-screen counterparts, told me. “That said, we’re definitely not sad if you don’t ask for it.”

Play it cool

Despite being served meat on more than one occasion, my vegetarian co-guests on board weren’t divas when it came to cuisine — a major source of chef-related stress on the show.

Tantrums aren’t the norm Barbie Pascual, the “Below Deck” stewardess famous for putting up with former “RHONY” star Jill Zarin’s demands for the perfect Diet Coke in the “Real Housewives of Grenada” episode, tells me. “Guests know they are being filmed so their reactions are more extreme than they’d be if the cameras weren’t around,” she says.

Pascual’s biggest tip for first-time yachters? Don’t go skinny dipping, like they do on the show, after dark.

“People forget about currents, sharks, etc.,” she says. “Jumping in the water should always be with the captain’s consent!”

Our humorless Croatian yacht captain was a far cry from “Below Deck Mediterranean’s” affable Captain Sandy Yawn. I think we only saw him twice over the course of four days, and he definitely didn’t join us for dinner.

That was fine by us because the stews and deckhands were always handy with anything we needed — including at chat.

Asking for it

“No” is a word you’ll never hear on a yacht, unless there is a safety issue, Pascual says.

While we didn’t ask our crew to do a striptease or decorate for ‘70s night (two recurring requests on the show), out-there demands aren’t out of the question, as long as you’re willing to pay for it.

For example, Via Croatia is currently retrofitting one of its multimillion-dollar superyachts for an upcoming charter booked by a multigenerational Jewish family from Florida.

“In addition to paying the charter fee, the client is literally buying everything new: pots, pans, silverware, et cetera,” said Androić. “They’re even spending $30,000 on a new tender for the elderly mother-in-law.”

Now, I’m no reality show producer, but a picky primary trying to keep his wife, her elderly mom and their kosher kids happy at sea has the makings of an Emmy Award-winning episode.

Yachting on a budget

Charters are cheapest at the beginning and end of a destination’s season. Via Croatia’s yuppiest yacht, the 160-foot, 12-cabin Agape Rose , fetches $200,000 a week in July and August. But it’s just $164,000 a week in April and October. Divide that by 24 of your closest friends and family and it’s just $6,800 a person.

If that’s still too much, consider booking a yacht club suite on one of MSC Cruises ’ Mediterranean voyages.

Sure, you’ll be on a cruise liner, but for $1,659 a person you’ll be treated to seven nights of private butler service with a private pool and restaurant that the pleb passengers don’t even know exists.

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Lynch Yacht Sinking Off Sicily Proves as Baffling as It Is Tragic

As bodies were recovered, the authorities and experts wondered how a $40 million, stable and secure vessel could have sunk so quickly.

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By Emma Bubola and Michael J. de la Merced

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Michael J. de la Merced from London.

Two months after being cleared in a bruising legal battle over fraud charges, the British tech mogul Mike Lynch celebrated his freedom with a cruise. He invited his family, friends and part of his legal team on board his luxury sailing yacht, a majestic 180-foot vessel named Bayesian after the mathematical theorem around which he had built his empire.

On Sunday night, after a tour of the Gulf of Naples, including Capri, and volcanic islands in the Eolian archipelago, the boat anchored half a mile off the Sicilian coast in Porticello, Italy. It chose a stretch of water favored by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago for its protection from the mistral wind and, in more recent times, by the yachts of tech billionaires. The boat was lit “like a Christmas tree,” local residents said, standing out against the full moon.

But about 4 a.m., calamity unfolded. A violent and fast storm hit the area with some of the strongest winds locals said they had ever felt. Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman, said he saw a flare pierce the darkness shortly after 4.

Minutes later, the yacht was underwater. Only dozens of cushions from the boat’s deck and a gigantic radar from its mast floated on the surface of the sea, fishermen said.

In all, 22 people were on board, 15 of whom were rescued. Six bodies — five passengers and the ship’s cook — had been recovered by Thursday afternoon, including that of Mr. Lynch, an Italian government official said, adding that the search was continuing for his daughter.

It was a tragic and mystifying turn of events for Mr. Lynch, 59, who had spent years seeking to clear his name and was finally inaugurating a new chapter in his life. Experts wondered how a $40 million yacht, so robust and stable could have been sunk by a storm near a port within minutes.

“It drives me insane,” said Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company, Perini, that made the Bayesian. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

The aura of misfortune only deepened when it emerged that Stephen Chamberlain, 52, a former vice president of finance for Mr. Lynch’s former company and a co-defendant in the fraud case, was killed two days earlier, when he was hit by a car while jogging near his house in England.

Since June, the two men had been in a jubilant mood. A jury in San Francisco had acquitted both on fraud charges that could have sent them to prison for two decades. There were hugs and tears, and they and their legal teams went for a celebratory dinner party at a restaurant in the city, said Gary S. Lincenberg, a lawyer for Mr. Chamberlain.

The sea excursion was meant as a thank-you by Mr. Lynch to those who had helped him in his legal travails. Among the guests was Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a scion of a prominent New York family of lawyers who had represented Mr. Lynch for 12 years. He and his wife, Neda, 57, were among the missing.

So, too, was Jonathan Bloomer, 70, a veteran British insurance executive who chaired Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered. All the other crew members survived. Among them was Leo Eppel, 19, of South Africa, who was on his first yacht voyage working as a deck steward, said a friend, who asked not to be identified.

Since the sinking, the recovery effort and investigation have turned the tiny port town of Porticello, a quiet enclave where older men sit bare-chested on balconies, into what feels like the set of a movie.

Helicopters have flown overhead. Ambulances have sped by with the sirens blaring. The Coast Guard has patrolled the waters off shore, within sight of a cordoned-off dock that had been turned into an emergency headquarters.

On Wednesday afternoon, a church bell tolled after the first body bag was loaded into an ambulance, a crowd watching in silence.

The survivors were sheltering in a sprawling resort near Porticello, with a view of the shipwreck spot, and had so far declined to comment.

Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said that the yacht had most likely been hit by a fierce “down burst” — when air generated within a thunderstorm descends rapidly — or by a waterspout , similar to a tornado over water.

He added that his agency had put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about storms and strong winds. Locals said the winds “felt like an earthquake.”

Mr. Costantino, the boat executive, said the yacht had been specifically designed for having a tall mast — the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world. He said the Bayesian was an extremely safe and secure boat that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing.

But he said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, is to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

The New York Times attempted to reach the captain, James Cutfield, who had survived, for comment through social media, his brother and the management company of the yacht (which did not hire the crew), but did not make contact.

So far none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened that night.

Fabio Genco, the director of Palermo’s emergency services, who treated some of the survivors, said that the victims had recounted feeling as if the boat was being lifted, then suddenly dropped, with objects from the cabins falling on them.

The Italian Coast Guard said it had deployed a remotely operated vehicle that can prowl underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of more than 980 feet and record videos and images that they hoped would help them reconstruct the dynamics of the sinking. Such devices were used during the search and rescue operations of the Titan vessel that is believed to have imploded last summer near the wreckage of the Titanic.

After rescuers broke inside the yacht, they struggled to navigate the ropes and many pieces of furniture cluttering the vessel, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy’s national firefighter corps.

Finally, as of Thursday morning, they had managed to retrieve all but one of the missing bodies, and hopes of finding the missing person alive were thin. “Can a human being be underwater for two days?” Mr. Cari asked.

What was certain was that Mr. Lynch’s death was yet another cruel twist of fate for a man who had spent years seeking to clear his name.

He earned a fortune in technology and was nicknamed Britain’s Bill Gates. But for more than a decade, he had been treated as anything but a respected tech leader.

He was accused by Hewlett-Packard, the American technological pioneer that had bought his software company, Autonomy, for $11 billion, of misleading it about his company’s worth. (Hewlett-Packard wrote down the value of the transaction by about $8.8 billion, and critics called it one of the worst deals of all time .) He had been increasingly shunned by the British establishment that he sought to break into after growing up working-class outside London.

He was extradited to San Francisco to face criminal charges, and confined to house arrest and 24-hour surveillance on his dime. In a townhouse in the Pacific Heights neighborhood — with security people he jokingly told associates were his “roommates” — he spent his mornings talking with researchers whom he funded personally on new applications for artificial intelligence. Afterward, he devoted hours to discussing legal strategy with his team.

Despite his persistent claims of innocence, even those close to Mr. Lynch had believed his odds of victory were slim. Autonomy’s chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in 2018 of similar fraud charges and spent five years in prison.

During Mr. Lynch’s house arrest, his brother and mother died. His wife, Angela Bacares, frequently flew over from England, and she became a constant presence in the San Francisco courtroom during the trial.

After he was finally acquitted, Mr. Lynch had his eye on the future. “I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” he said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Pallanza, Italy.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

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Below Deck: Behind the scenes of filming the hit superyacht reality show

When it first aired in 2013, Below Deck quickly garnered the attention of a loyal band of die-hard fans. Three years later, the spin-off Below Deck: Mediterranean followed. Amid the chaos of crew love triangles and outrageous guest requests, returning captains Lee Rosbach and Sandy Yawn emerged as respected industry professionals and brand ambassadors for the show. 

• Below Deck secrets: What the hit TV series didn't tell you

In 2020, the brand’s second spin-off, Below Deck: Sailing Yacht , launched, shining a new light on the crews and challenges of sailing yacht charters. Together, the reality show triumvirate propelled Below Deck and the superyacht industry to global audiences, earning the show its own unique place in the hall of reality television fame. But Below Deck’s producers aren’t done yet. Earlier this year, US network Bravo announced the Below Deck empire was set to grow further with two new spin-off seasons, Below Deck Adventure and Below Deck Down Under . As the sixth season of Below Deck: Mediterranean gets underway on June 28, BOAT talks to executive producer Tania Hamidi about Below Deck’s stratospheric rise and the behind-the-scenes reality of filming the show.

• How Captain Lee became TV’s favourite yacht captain

Hamidi is a seasoned television producer and one of Below Deck’s longest-serving team members. She has been a staple of the Below Deck production team for seven years, joining as the second season of Below Deck got underway. Soon after, she was involved in the launch of Below Deck: Mediterranean fronted by captain Mark Howard, who was promptly replaced by captain Sandy Yawn in the second season. This was a key casting decision, Hamidi says. “We loved Mark, but it was really exciting to have a woman in the wheelhouse. When that opportunity presented itself, it just took over,” she says, adding that Sandy “got herself on that boat”.

• Captain Sandy Yawn on the reality of filming Below Deck Mediterranean

While captains Lee Rosbach, Sandy Yawn and Glenn Shephard have become familiar fixtures of the show, Hamidi reveals that not even they are safe when it comes to casting the next season. “All the different positions are on the table each season, including the captain,” she says. However, when it comes to changing a captain “there’s got to be a reason”. With crew, familiar faces often return, with notable examples being chief stewardess Kate Chastain and bosun Malia White. This creates a sense of continuity, Hamidi says. “We often have yacht crew come back in higher positions.” Diversity also informs key crew casting decisions to ensure “different types of people feature in different roles.” “It’s fantastic to have a female bosun or a different culture as head of a department that you don’t expect to see,” says Hamidi. “It’s fun to lean into the reality of the industry because it does exist.”

Below Deck: Inside the boats from the hit reality show

A Below Deck charter typically carries a maximum of 12 superyacht crew on board, including up to three resident crew who work on the yacht full time. Often the official captain of the yacht will drop down to first mate to allow for an incoming Below Deck captain. However, generally these crew roles stay off-camera and are not considered “part of the season,” Hamidi says. “They don’t really fit into part of the story, and if you do see them, it’s in an organic way, like an emergency.”

When it comes to casting new crew members, Hamidi reveals that “most” incoming crew already hold their STCW qualification, with some needing a refresher. While the show is totally unscripted, the casting team does look for a specific type of person when choosing the crew. “It’s a TV show so the crew we choose are definitely outgoing and happy to be open,” Hamidi says. “If they are closed off, it’s hard to tell a story and hard for others to come out and tell them their stories.”

• Parsifal III : Meet the star of Below Deck's sailing spin-off

The same ethos applies when recruiting the season’s charter guests. As an unscripted show, the guests must be outgoing and excited for the charter. “We really don’t try and make them do things they don’t want to do,” says Hamidi. “We say ‘just have fun, it’s your vacation’.” This, Hamidi claims, is why they have so many guests keen to return, with the Below Deck charter guest casting team having to restrict the amount of returning guests to keep things “fresh”. While it’s well known that Below Deck’s guests pay a subsidised charter rate, Hamidi reveals the opportunity is still very much “aimed at the one per cent”, with guests expected to tip to the full price of the charter. “The guests have a slightly discounted rate but it’s still a pretty penny,” she says. “The average person couldn’t afford it.”

The filming schedule of a typical season of Below Deck is hectic. The intense schedule squeezes nine charters into a filming period of eight weeks. A total of 30 people, comprising yacht crew, guests and camera crew, can be on the boat at any one time. Split into pairs, the camera crew consists of a camera operator and a second team member operating the audio rig. Guided by the director, who watches from a cabin transformed into a “control room”, the camera crew “jump around the yacht” trying to capture key moments of the charter, from pulling anchor to meal prep in the galley. They often arrive onto the yacht at 5.30am and get the cameras rolling before the guests are out of bed. Working a 12-hour shift, they need to ensure all the unfolding action on board is caught on camera while avoiding the other camera crews on board. “The camera crew are running around and hiding from each other while getting all the action,” Hamidi says. This is especially difficult on a four-deck motor yacht, she says, but easier on the wider decks of Parsifal III , the star of Below Deck: Sailing Yacht . To support such an operation, the main charter yacht is accompanied by a support vessel and water taxi, which ferries the camera crew to and from the main yacht. The support vessel, which in previous seasons has been a schooner, catamaran and “mini yacht”, is chosen on the capabilities of its galley to ensure the crews are well fed. The support vessel follows around the mothership but is always carefully anchored out of sight to avoid being in the shot.

While Hamidi admits filming the series is “full on”, for her the hard work begins weeks before when preparation for the show begins. This includes everything from casting the show, choosing a charter yacht, selecting brands to appear on the show and sourcing water toys, such as floating golf courses and superyacht slides. Equipment is checked in the galley, visas are approved and valuable objects – such as art – are removed from the charter yacht. Amid all the noise and intensity of preparing and filming the show, it is the morning water taxi rides to the mothership that stay with Hamidi the most. “You’re out on the water, it’s too loud to have a conversation and it’s beautiful – it’s those moments that stay with me,” she says. Despite two more spin-off series being greenlit, Hamidi is adamant the Below Deck franchise is just getting started. “It’s internationally syndicated, more and more people are interested in yachting, and I think it’s just going to grow and grow and grow.”

Below Deck Mediterranean premieres on Monday, June 28 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes will be available one week early on Peacock beginning Monday, June 21 .

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Sinking of a superyacht adds to questions billionaire Mike Lynch wanted to put behind him

It was a sunny August morning when software entrepreneur Mike Lynch, 59, gathered 10 of his closest friends along with his wife and daughter on the dock of Porto di Milazzo, on the northern coast of Sicily. They had come to celebrate his freedom. Only months before, several of the guests played crucial roles in persuading a San Francisco jury to acquit Lynch of federal charges related to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to HP for $11 billion. 

Five days after the yacht left port, Lynch, his daughter, four guests, and a hired chef were dead in the Mediterranean Sea after a storm flooded the ship. The drowned included the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, a star witness at Lynch’s trial, as well as one of Lynch’s lead defense attorneys. Among the survivors were a former Autonomy exec who went on to become a partner at Lynch’s venture capital firm, a second member of his defense team, and Lynch’s wife, who reportedly owns nearly all his fortune. The same day of the drowning, U.K. news outlets reported that Lynch’s codefendant in the fraud trial, Stephen Chamberlain, who had also been acquitted, had been fatally run over by a car as he was out jogging—a shocking coincidence.

Less than a week after the tragedy, there are far more questions than answers. Did the yacht named Bayesian —an homage to a statistical theorem for predicting future outcomes—simply fall victim to a terrible storm? How did most of the crew and a few passengers escape, and why couldn’t they reach Lynch and the six others who did not make it out? Italian officials are looking into manslaughter charges, but it’s not yet clear who they may have in their crosshairs. Giovanni Costantino, who runs the Italian Sea Group that owns Perini Navi, the Italian maker of the yacht, had harsh words for the crew, whom he blames. “This is the mistake that cries out for vengeance,” he told Reuters .

There are also huge questions swirling around the business ventures of the man dubbed the “British Bill Gates.” While the Bayesian excursion was to serve as a celebration of Lynch’s acquittal on all charges in the U.S.—where he had spent months under house arrest—the reality is that his legal troubles were far from over. In a January 2022 civil trial, the U.K.’s High Court found that the company, which by then had changed its name to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), had “substantially succeeded” in proving that Autonomy leaders had fraudulently made it look like the company was earning more revenue than it was. In 2019 Autonomy’s CFO was convicted of 16 counts and sentenced to five years in prison. At this time, the U.K. case is in a holding pattern as the judge determines what damages are owed to HPE. (The company’s spokesperson Adam Bauer says HPE is “saddened by this tragic event, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who lost their lives.”)

But Lynch’s passing also looms over Invoke Capital, the venture firm he founded in 2011 and whose managing partner—Charlotte Golunski—survived the yacht disaster and saved her 1-year-old baby. One of Invoke’s most prominent bets was a 2013 seed-stage investment in Darktrace, a cybersecurity firm on whose board Lynch sat until 2018. Darktrace has developed a reputation as a sleek AI cybersecurity startup with ties to spy agencies like MI5 and the U.S. National Security Agency. It also became the target of short-sellers who in 2023 expressed doubt over Darktrace’s financial filings—the same sort of allegations that plagued Lynch’s Autonomy. 

Darktrace insists that the short-sellers’ allegations were baseless, and they say an EY audit it commissioned showed this to be the case. In April Darktrace received a $5.3 billion acquisition offer from the giant private equity firm Thoma Bravo. The deal, which Fortune reported will likely go forward despite Lynch’s death, stood to help rehabilitate Lynch’s business reputation. As of Aug. 14, he and his wife collectively owned 3.21% of the company, which would be worth some $170 million upon the deal’s completion. Invoke Capital has not responded to multiple requests for comment, and Darktrace declined to comment.

Following his U.S. acquittal, Lynch was pleased enough with the state of things that he had begun celebrating weeks before the yacht party. In the days following the not-guilty verdict, Lynch and his wife; Stephen Chamberlain and his wife; the attorney Chris Morvillo—who drowned on the Bayesian —and 20 other lawyers gathered at a restaurant at a hotel near the San Francisco courthouse.

Brian Heberlig, an attorney at Steptoe who gave the closing argument in Lynch’s trial, recalls that Morvillo gave a moving toast, telling those assembled that the trial was more than just a job, but one of their life’s works. “He really was a brilliant man,” Heberlig told Fortune , fighting back tears as he remembered Lynch. “And he ran his legal defense the same way I imagine he ran Autonomy. He let the experts do their jobs, while still having a strong grasp on the material. As he used to say, ‘Let the brain surgeons do the surgery.’”

That night was the last time Heberlig ever saw Lynch or Morvillo.

A ‘virtually unsinkable’ boat

The sailing party departed Aug. 14—five days before the storm—and comprised 12 guests and 10 crew members. The Bayesian was one of the biggest yachts of its kind. Its first stop was a cluster of small islands off the coast of Sicily. Then it jetted across the sea to the Sicilian town of Cefalù, before putting down anchor for the final time on the coast of Palermo, a favorite getaway for the rich and famous, and a former haunt for the Mafia.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, who reportedly held the couple’s entire $1.1 billion fortune, was jolted awake on Aug. 18 as the boat began to tilt. Glass from a shattered window exploded across the deck, according to reports, cutting her feet as she ran to investigate.

Black and white security  footage  appears to show the outline of what is believed to be the 184-foot sailing yacht, which used call sign 2ICB8, slowly disappearing behind a thicker and thicker veil of rain. Nearby villagers and fishermen say they saw a sea tornado called a waterspout. Soon after, the yacht lay on the ocean floor.

Theories are swirling about why the yacht sank. One holds that a bay door was left open in the storm, causing the ship to flood and sink in minutes. Another holds that the Bayesian’ s 246-foot-tall aluminum mast—one of the tallest in the world— broke in the wind and took the boat down with it.

Most news reports say the yacht sank almost instantly, but the CEO of the company that bought the boat’s maker after it went bankrupt in 2021 disputes that. In a Financial Times report, he called the boat “virtually unsinkable,” and says that it dragged its anchor for 16 minutes before it sank. 

During those fateful moments, a far older nearby yacht, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, built in 1957, was drifting on a similar course as the Bayesian and not only survived, but also came to help. Some onboard saw a red flare shooting across the rainy sky—an emergency signal from those who had fled the doomed yacht, drawing the attention to a life raft filled with 15 of the 22 passengers.

Passenger Golunski, 35, who helped run Autonomy the first year it was at HP, described holding her 1-year old daughter Sophia as she screamed for help. One of Lynch’s most trusted employees, Golunski was a founding partner at Invoke Capital, the London-based firm that backed Darktrace. Lynch’s wife Bacares was also in the life raft along with Clifford Chance lawyer Ayla Ronald, 36, who reportedly texted to her father: “there are deaths.”

The lifeboat survivors were soon plucked from the sea while the Bayesian came to its current resting place 50 meters below the surface. Over the course of the next 72 hours, a team of scuba divers from the Guardia Costiera and specially trained cave divers from the Vigili del Fuoco, the local fire department, used boats and a helicopter to triangulate the yacht’s position. The divers, working in bursts of 8 to 12 minutes, searched the Bayesian’ s six guest suites, master suite, multiple living areas, and dining room.

The body of the yacht’s chef, Recaldo Thomas, was the first to be found, floating on the water’s surface. On Wednesday, two days after the wreck, four more bodies were discovered, and on Thursday a fifth. Among them were Lynch and Chris Morvillo of the prestigious law firm Clifford Chance, who had made the controversial decision to have Lynch testify, and questioned him on the stand right before he was acquitted. The others discovered were Morvillo’s wife, Neda, as well as the Morgan Stanley banker and key witness Jonathan Bloomer, who had been a former executive director at Autonomy, and his wife, Judy. The body of Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, was pulled from the sea on Friday.

The U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency tells Fortune it is in contact with the Italian authorities but would not provide further information. The U.K.’s Foreign Office told Fortune it is providing “consular support to a number of British nationals and their families…and are in contact with the local authorities.”

More questions than answers

Even as loved ones and the survivors begin to come to terms with the human toll of the tragedy, the business world has begun assessing Lynch’s complicated past and his many business dealings. 

Lynch was born of modest means to a nurse and firefighter in a suburb of London. From an early age he showed a proclivity toward technology and a fiery determination. He studied natural sciences at Cambridge, then returned for a PhD in artificial neural networks, the building blocks of artificial intelligence. When he was still studying for his PhD, he started his first venture, Cambridge Neurodynamics, monetizing computerized fingerprint recognition, eventually evolving into Autonomy. 

Founded in 1996 with David Tabizel and Richard Gaunt, Autonomy used an early version of artificial intelligence to quickly scan what’s known as “unstructured data,” especially including language. Autonomy quickly became a darling of the U.K.’s fledgling tech scene, and it was seen as a crowning achievement when, in 2011, the company struck an $11 billion deal to be purchased by HP, now HPE. The deal, however, was quickly engulfed in scandal when a year later the new owner alleged accounting fraud and wrote down its investment by $8.8 billion.

Despite the baggage around Autonomy, Lynch continued to ride high in the tech world through his venture firm, Invoke Capital, which he founded in 2012. One of its most profitable investments was Darktrace, which he backed in 2013 and joined as a board member. By 2016 he told TechCrunch that 60 employees from Autonomy were working at Invoke, that he’d raised a billion dollars to invest in startups, and that Darktrace was worth $500 million.

While fighting the legal battle over Autonomy and building Invoke, Lynch enjoyed the trappings of a mogul. The same year he announced his billion-dollar startup fund, he was sailing the Bayesian , worth an estimated $25 million. He reportedly also owned a $6 million, 69-acre Georgian manor.

By early 2020 Darktrace shared deep connections with Autonomy, including half of Darktrace’s board and six of its eight top executives. The following year Darktrace went public, soaring 40% above its pre-market value. But the victory lap was brief. In September 2022, an acquisition talk between private equity firm Thoma Bravo and Darktrace fell through , sending share prices tumbling. In early 2023, the short-selling firm Quintessential Capital Management published a 70-page report accusing Darktrace of similar misconduct that had sunk Autonomy.

“We are deeply skeptical about the validity of Darktrace’s financial statements,” the report read. Darktrace’s shares plunged as much as 17% after the report was published, though the company said at the time that the management team and board had “rigorous controls in place.” Darktrace hired EY to perform an audit, which stabilized its share price after the accounting firm found the company’s earlier financial results did not need to be restated. Darktrace never publicly released the report, however, with a spokesperson saying at the time that it contained “commercially sensitive information.”

More recently, Darktrace’s CEO Poppy Gustafsson wrote in the firm’s Q4 trading report of “shareholders voting overwhelmingly in favour” of the acquisition, and added the company is “awaiting the conclusion of the remaining regulatory processes.”

Until very recently, Darktrace had sought to distance itself from Lynch and his VC firm. In December, shareholders passed a resolution that rejected Invoke non-executive director Patrick Jacob’s reappointment to its board. This April, Invoke lost the right to that same board seat when it was discovered its shares had fallen below the required 10% threshold. Nonetheless, in a memorial to Lynch, Gustafsson wrote : “Without Mike, there would be no Darktrace. We owe him so much.”

While the Italian authorities continue to investigate the crash site, one thing is certain: The swirl of legal and business battles that surrounded Lynch during his lifetime are likely to continue after his death. A local Italian news site reports that the public prosecutor’s office in a nearby town, Termini Imerese, is looking into allegations of manslaughter surrounding the sunken boat. And two months before Lynch died, former U.K. Secretary of State David Davis reportedly said he was working with Lynch to scrap U.S./U.K extradition agreements that allowed Lynch’s trial to happen in the first place. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Davis told GB News he would continue that fight in memory of Lynch. “We need to get a grip of this,” said Davis. “Mike, when he’d won his case, almost the first thing he did was ring me up and say, ‘We’re going to have to defeat this treaty, we’re going to have to overcome this treaty and get it changed for the better.’”

“I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” Lynch said after the verdict.

Lynch’s desire to extend the legal fight even after his not-guilty verdict reflects the scrappiness he displayed throughout his life. This helped him ascend to the highest rungs of business and moguldom—but the success also came with a tenuous quality as questions about his business dealings dogged him for years. The not-guilty verdict and the pending Darktrace sale meant Lynch was in position to finally cast off that shadow. But now his ultimate legacy is poised to be tied forever to a mysterious and tragic hour on the Mediterranean Sea.

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