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Below Deck fans have picked their favorite ever Bosuns across the franchise. Since Below Deck premiered, the series has spurned many spin-offs, including Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Down Under, and Below Deck Adventure. All these series have provided fans with entertainment and knowledge about the yachting life. Besides the Captains, Stews, and Chefs, fans have also met Deckhands and Bosuns. Although these roles differ, these individuals work together to provide a successful yachting experience. However, Bosuns set themselves apart from the rest of the crew due to the nature of their role.
Who Is A Below Deck Bosun?
Bosun is another term used for “senior deckhand.” The role of a bosun is to take charge of daily maintenance tasks and cleaning. Additionally, the bosun drives the yacht tenders, and if a larger boat requires more crew members, a bosun oversees the deckhands working under them. Usually, the bosun is the highest-ranking member on a boat, but this is not the case in the Below Deck franchise. The captain takes the helm of affairs on the yacht and instructs the bosun. In Below Deck, most boats are quite big, meaning the bosun has several deckhands working under them. Some of the most successful bosuns on the show have displayed great people skills and an ability to work under pressure.
The bosun’s duties are more complicated than a chief stew, so they rarely return after a season on the show. In most instances, the bosuns who have made a big impact on Below Deck were either promoted from deckhands or were at the center of some controversy. Nevertheless, this doesn’t take away anything from the fact that they applied themselves on the job — thereby gaining the respect and admiration of fans. Below are some of the best Below Deck bosuns, as per fans.
Eddie Lucas (Below Deck)
Eddie Lucas debuted on Below Deck season one as one of the deckhands. He returned for seasons two and three before going on a five-year hiatus from the show, ending with his comeback in Below Deck seasons 8 and 9. During his two spells on the show, Eddie managed to work his way from deckhand to bosun before getting promoted to first officer. Despite being on the show for five seasons, season 3 was his most controversial. Fans mostly remember the season for his affair with stewardess Rocky Dakota, which strained his relationship with his then-girlfriend.
When he returned in season 8, he claimed he was much wiser and older than his last time on the show. Eddie showed much more maturity, cementing his status as a fan favorite. However, he disappointed fans when he announced he would not return to the show ahead of the season.
Gary King (Below Deck: Sailing Yacht)
Gary King was another bosun that caught the eye during his spell on the spin-off series Below Deck: Sailing Yacht. He debuted on season 2 of the Bravo series, bringing his 12 years of experience in the yachting industry to the show. Before his debut on Below Deck: Sailing Yacht, Gary worked as a first mate and captain on smaller boats. His wealth of experience immediately showed how he handled his deck team aboard the Parsifal III.
Although Gary showed remarkable dedication to his duties, his lack of self-control always put him in dicey situations. By the end of the second episode of his first season, he had already hooked up with deckhand Sydney. Later in the season, he got involved with third stewardess Alli Dore, creating a messy love triangle that threatened the boat’s harmony.
During his time on the series, Gary also showed an unwillingness to help out the interior crew when they were overwhelmed with work. In one particular episode, Gary seemed annoyed by chief stew Daisy Kelliher’s request for help in the interior. Despite all his flaws, Gary remained a fan-favorite throughout his time on the show due to his good work ethic. Plus, the drama he guaranteed as a playboy made for great entertainment on the show.
Malia White (Below Deck Mediterranean)
Malia White was quite a divisive character during her time on the show. However, most of the bad reviews she got were due to her role in Hannah Ferrier’s sacking. She also showed great potential for a successful career in the yachting industry. Malia joined Below Deck Mediterranean in season 2 as a green deckhand. She immediately got involved in a love triangle with bosun Wes Walton and chef Adam Glick, which later caused a huge fight between the men.
Still, Malia’s most controversial moment came in season 5 when she brought it to Captain Sandy’s attention that chief steward Hannah had violated maritime laws by having Valium and vaping onboard. She even took pictorial evidence along with her to report. The incident eventually led to Hannah’s sacking, and fans seriously turned on her for the role she played — with some viewers even calling her a snitch.
Although Malia made history in season 5 by becoming the first-ever female bosun in Below Deck franchise history, her best moments came in season 6. Following the backlash from fans, Malia turned a new leaf when she returned in season 6. She became a team player and always looked out for her team members. Malia didn’t return for the next season but has continued to work very hard in the yachting industry. Malia remains one of the most iconic characters in the show, and fans will welcome her return if she ever decides to make a comeback.
Storm Smith (Below Deck Mediterranean)
Storm Smith was among the many new faces that joined Below Deck Mediterranean season 7. The self-proclaimed pirate joined the Bravo series as a deckhand. However, Captain Sandy promoted him to a bosun after she sacked Raygan Tyler — the second-ever female bosun — for being unprofessional. Aside from his impressive work ethic and leadership style, Storm’s romantic relationship with stew Natalya Schudder became a huge talking point for Below Deck fans.
Also, his decision to promote deckhand Courtney Veale to lead deckhand ahead of his close friend Mzi Dempers generated a lot of controversy at the time. Storm and Mzi have been friends since childhood, so the latter’s decision understandably caused a rift between them. However, they have since returned to being great friends again.
Although Below Deck Mediterranean season 7 was largely underwhelming, Storm’s performance on the show was one of the few positives. Since the season ended, Storm has been catching up with some exciting times with his new girlfriend, Chloe Griffin. Nevertheless, fans would love to see him back on their TVs sooner than later.
