Below Deck Down Under’s long-running Captain, Jason Chambers, has become the heart of the series through his charming demeanor and charismatic relationships with the crew, and though he’s made some missteps this season, he shouldn’t be fired under any circumstances. Starting with the Below Deck franchise during the first season of Below Deck Down Under, Captain Jason has become one of the most recognizable faces of the entire franchise after just a few short seasons. The Australian Captain, one of the youngest in franchise history, has been able to transcend the line between yachtie and Captain, which makes him relatable.

I love Captain Jason for quite a few reasons, and while not all of them are related to his performance as Below Deck Down Under’s young, handsome leader, I do think some are more valid than others. Many Below Deck fans enjoyed Captain Jason at first for his looks alone, as he’s an incredibly attractive guy, but when they saw his leadership style, their interest began to wane. Personally, I think Captain Jason is the only person fit to lead on Below Deck Down Under, and after doing it for three seasons, I definitely wouldn’t want to see him fired.

While Captain Jason’s style isn’t for everyone, he’s a lot closer to the casual discipline of Captain Kerry Titheradge than the outlaw nature of Captain Lee Rosbach or the stringent rule-following of Captain Sandy Yawn. Though each captain is made differently and has to act differently with their separate crews, Captain Jason has managed to maintain a very interesting line between his personal and professional life that makes his yachties as curious as viewers about who they’re dealing with. Seeing Captain Jason work well with his crew and be a fair, honest Captain is just the beginning of his charm.

Though Captain Jason has been a bit different throughout Below Deck Down Under season 3, I still love the energy I get from him as a viewer. While some are struggling with the way his looks are treated on screen, I think Captain Jason being in on the joke about how handsome he is makes it work on screen. I think if Below Deck were to lose Captain Jason, even if it were to a different series for a change of pace, it would be difficult for Below Deck Down Under to bounce back and work well on its own.

8Captain Jason Gets Along With The Crew

He’s Easygoing With Everyone

While it may seem like a given for a Below Deck captain, Captain Jason is able to easily get along with his yacht crew no matter the circumstance. Even though there are always difficulties on a Below Deck super yacht, Captain Jason is able to navigate things with ease in a way that other captains seem to struggle with, especially when it comes to the yachties working for him. It feels like Captain Jason really understands his employees in a way that they respect, which often brings him to a place where he can speak freely when problems arise.

Though Below Deck Down Under has been on for less time than other Below Deck shows, Captain Jason has had to face some genuinely serious issues with his crew in a few short seasons. After handling a messy crew issue in Below Deck Down Under season 2 with care and ease, it was clear that Captain Jason knew his yachties could trust in his judgment and leadership abilities, which left him with more ability to move freely in his role. Without so much pressure from the crew to behave in a certain way, Captain Jason has cultivated some great relationships.

7Captain Jason Isn’t Afraid To Fire Someone When Necessary

He Knows When Things Have Gone Too Far

Although it’s clear that firing crew members aren’t not his most enjoyable moments as Captain, Jason knows how to handle an employee who’s causing a problem. While he’s fair in the way he talks to and about the yachties aboard Below Deck Down Under’s crews, Captain Jason also seems to understand when it’s time to let someone go. Within the last few seasons, we’ve seen Captain Jason exercise his right to terminate people, and it’s typically at the right time, without jumping the gun or holding onto the crew member too long.

During Below Deck Down Under season 2, Captain Jason had to make the decision to terminate a difficult yachtie after some behavior he couldn’t believe. Luke Jones, who was terminated after it was reported that he’d tried to sexually assault stew Margot Sisson, was fired quickly and efficiently, with Captain Jason refusing to consider anything else. Moving swiftly and respectfully, Captain Jason knowing when to let someone go is an often overlooked quality.

6Captain Jason Gives His Crew A Lot Of Chances

He’s Not A One-And-Done Captain

As a Below Deck captain, Jason does have the issue that a lot of the behavior of the crew is going to wind up on camera and mined for drama. With that being a difficulty he has to wrap his mind around, it’s always great to see that Captain Jason gives his crew the chances to make mistakes and learn from them. A lot like the way Captain Sandy operates on Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Jason often knows that his yachties will need more than one chance at something to get it right.

While he’s clear that there are a limit to the number of chances that a yachtie will get before their mistake making causes an issue, Captain Jason is quick to allow his yachties to fail and not punish them or fire them for doing so. As a Captain, Jason knows that his job is to help people learn more about what they’re supposed to be doing, and teach them how to do it well. Captain Jason’s nature allows him to be kind and open about mistakes, rather than harsh and punishing.

5Captain Jason Is Always Willing To Help His Team

He’s Happy To Jump In With Anything

Although Jason’s responsibilities as a Captain are quite different than the rest of the yacht crew, the fact that he’s able to jump in and help his team whenever it’s needed is a great look. Captain Jason has a ton of yachting experience, and it’s something he genuinely enjoys doing during his off-time. Boats aren’t just his livelihood, they’re his hobby and his passion, as well. Knowing that Captain Jason is available as a resource is probably already a great feeling for his crews, but the fact that he’ll jump in to help is even better.

Knowing that Captain Jason will take over for even the lowest ranking crew member in a pinch is a great quality to have in a leader. Knowing everyone’s positions and understanding how to manage, when to help, and why he might need to jump in is something other Below Deck captains don’t often display. Hearing that Captain Jason is swooping in to take over likely offers a comfort to the crew, which isn’t easy to find on a superyacht.

4Captain Jason Tries To Keep The Workplace Fun

He’s A Goofy Captain

Although Jason may find some difficulties in his life as a Captain, you wouldn’t know it as a viewer or a part of his crew. Captain Jason is quick to keep his problems to himself, and often does what he can to make the workplace fun and friendly. Working hard to ensure that the crew is excited to be aboard the superyacht and ready to serve the guests to the best of their abilities, Below Deck’s Captain Jason knows how to toe the line and make work fun.

Cracking jokes and sharing in the guest festivities with the crew, Captain Jason makes himself available for the fun and funny moments of the charter. Despite having to work hard on his own accord in ways that the rest of the crew doesn’t even see, Captain Jason knows how to let loose and enjoy his time aboard a superyacht. With traditions like his disco helmet, which is a fun, funny way to acknowledge the crew, he does a great job at keeping things light. It clearly serves him well to be able to relish in keeping things fun and casual.

3Captain Jason Keeps His Crew Safe

He Knows How To Protect The Crew

Although Jason is a casual, fun captain, his time on Below Deck Down Under has proven that he knows how to keep his crew safe, no matter the circumstance. Jason’s ability to move through the charter season with a keen understanding of what’s going on with his crew is remarkable. Knowing that he’s able to work hard and monitor the crew activity, with help from his department heads, to mitigate issues of safety between them and around them is reassuring.

Despite having responsibilities outside of managing the crew, Jason often appears like he’s giving his utmost attention to the way they’re behaving toward each other, and restoring order when necessary. Captain Jason’s ability to manage his crew is uncanny, and seeing him do so is a great way to understand who he is as a person. It’s clear that Jason cares deeply for his crew members, and knows what to do to ensure their safety when they’re his responsibility.

2Captain Jason Knows His Place

He’s Not Overstepping Boundaries

Although Jason is often moving through the charter season with his crew at his heels, he does know when to take a step back and allow them to be the crew on their own. Taking his Captain duties seriously, Jason knows that he’s on a different playing field than his crew. At times, he’s able to cross the bridge between their spaces and absorb himself into being part of the superyacht crew, but most of the time he’s on his own as a member of the crew.

With a higher ranking than everyone else aboard the superyacht, Jason knows his place and when to exert that he’s in a position of power. Taking care of his crew is important, but being their friend as opposed to their boss is a tough line to navigate. Jason does a great job knowing his place and understanding where he stands when it comes to the crew as a whole. He’s able to shift seamlessly between roles, which is an underrated positive.

1Captain Jason Is In On The Joke

He Knows How To Laugh At Himself

Although Captain Jason is someone who knows how to be serious, he’s also a person who knows he doesn’t take himself too seriously at any given moment. With Below Deck banking on the fact that Captain Jason is, for lack of a better word, hot, he has to know how to let go and enjoy the attention. Being in on the joke is another level of understanding that is fun to see from the Captain. Jason is able to be in on the joke with his crew, which makes for a great season, every time.

Understanding his place in the Bravo-sphere, it’s always great to see that Captain Jason understands the look of his role on Below Deck Down Under. While he’s a great Captain, he’s also someone who doesn’t take himself or his perception seriously. Enjoying his life and giving viewers exactly what they want from a captain, Captain Jason knows how to have fun, how to be serious, and most importantly, how to laugh at himself when it matters.

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.