Below Deck’s Captain Lee details how Bravo series saved ‘struggling’ yachting industry | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV
Bravo’s hit reality series Below Deck had viewers enthralled since it first premiered in 2013. After gaining insight into yachting, many viewers joined the industry as Captain Lee Rosbach revealed the rise in interest dramatically changed yachting.
Throughout 10 seasons of Below Deck, fans have gained detailed insight into what it takes to run a charter yacht.
As well as catering to affluent guests, the deck crew have the stressful task of helping the captain guide the yacht, as well as ensuring the exterior is kept clean.
Whereas stews entertain the guests, assist the chef and make sure the guest quarters are immaculate.
Alongside their intricate duties, the crew are often embroiled in bitter feuds with one another, while keeping smiles on their faces for their demanding guests.
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While the show proved to be a hit with viewers, Captain Lee revealed it also spiked interest in the yachting industry.
The 73-year-old admitted: “(Below Deck) truly has changed the face of the industry.
“We were struggling to find people to get into the industry because people in Iowa had no clue about jobs on yachts, ‘what’s a yacht?’.”
Speaking on Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Lee added: “They had no clue these jobs existed.
“And that they could get great paying jobs if they came out of college or whatever.
“They could get a good job, they could go see the world and they could have a hell of a lot of fun.”
Below Deck was such a hit that the Bravo series became a franchise with five spin-off shows.
This includes Below Deck Meditterean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Galley Talk, Below Deck Down Under and the latest Below Deck Adventure.
As well as learning what it really took to run a charter yacht, viewers were also hooked by the non-stop arguments, partying and chaos which could ensue.
Unlike most of the other reality shows on Bravo, Below Deck saw a team made up of people from around the world forced to work and live together in tight quarters.
While many charters have ended in success, the franchise has seen guests get kicked off the yacht, chefs quit during service and members of the team fired.
In season eight, viewers saw a different side to Captain Lee’s usually calm demeanour as he was forced to end the charter season early.
