Below Deck Mediterranean: Who is Captain Sandy Yawn?

Below Deck Mediterranean’s Captain Sandy Yawn is on our TV screens every Monday on Bravo, but I don’t think we know Sandy well enough.

So, let’s get to know Below Deck Mediterranean’s Captain Sandy Yawn better!

Who is Captain Sandy?

Captain Sandra Yawn, also known as Captain Sandy Yawn, has been yachting for over 29 years. Sandy is from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is where fellow Captain, Lee Rosbach of Below Deck, lives!

As far as schooling, Sandy has a United States Coastguard Masters of Oceans 1600T/3000T and the United States Coast Guard and Maritime Coast Guard Agency Class IV CEC, according to her website. She has also been awarded the Distinguished Crew Award for the International Super Yacht Society when she ensured the safety of many guests and crew during a fire in 2006.

A few years back, Sandy got into a motorcycle accident and landed in the hospital.  During her stay for broken foot and ankle, doctors found a spot on her kidney.  It ended up being stage II kidney cancer that probably would have remained unknown if not for her accident. She’s also survived a pirate attack in the Red Sea!

Sandy is involved in the Jacksonville School for Autism, a not for profit organization that her sister founded for her nephew, and Sea Shepherd, helping conserve and protect ecosystems and species.

About this season

Below Deck Mediterranean has been a wild ride so far this season.  Just this week, Sandy had to fire Chef Mila Kolomeitseva in the middle of the charter season.

In this recent Decider interview, Sandy discusses Chef Mila:

"First I want to clarify, unless the crew share with me, or the client tells me the truth, I have no idea how horrible the meals are. When I saw the nachos and the tacos I knew. She lied on her resume."

Watch Sandy eat the gourmet boxed tacos below:

After a few more awful meals, and a few more samplings by Sandy, she had to let her go.

Sandy says the crew was thrilled when she actually fired Mila, because it was extra work for everyone having her there, on top of really awful meals for the charter guests, and the crew!

When asked about a crossover: Sandy also said she would love to have a Real Housewives of New York crossover and we fully support this idea.

NYC Pride

Last weekend, Sandy was spotted on the Bravo TV float during NYC pride with Andy Cohen, and a plethora of housewives.

Sandy told Bravo, “They’re all great people and personalities but our show, I gotta tell ya, people love it.”  She said she loved Gizelle Bryant from Real Housewives of Potomac and thought she was “so cool.”  Being on a float full of Bravo stars must have been quite the experience!

Sandy’s girlfriend, Leah Shafer, apparently loves the show too.  Leah stumbled upon Below Deck on TV one night and reached out to Sandy on Facebook.  Leah said she had to meet Sandy after watching her yell at Hannah.

Anyway, we probably won’t hear much about Sandy’s personal life on Below Deck because that’s not what the show is about, but I do like getting to know the Sirocco Captain a bit more outside of her job.

Catch Captain Sandy Yawn on Below Deck Mediterranean, Mondays at 9 PM ET on Bravo!

Below Deck Mediterranean is back next Monday at 9 PM ET on Bravo!