Captain Sandy Yawn Fires 2 Below Deck Med Crew Members: “Have To Make a Change”
Nathan Gallagher helped Captain Sandy Yawn make the “very difficult decision” on Below Deck Med Season 10.
With the deck team in “total chaos,” Captain Sandy Yawn fired two crew members on Below Deck Mediterranean: Christian Trimino and Tessa Budd.
Before making her decision during Season 10, Episode 5, Sandy tasked bosun Nathan Gallagher with recommending which of the deckhands to let go. Citing “the whole operation of the boat and the safety of the guests,” he ultimately suggested they “get rid of” both Christian and Tessa.
After noting that would eliminate “half” of his team, Sandy commended Nathan for being a “true leader,” adding, “I agree. I think it’s the right call. It makes me sad I have to do this.”
In a confessional, she elaborated, “As a first-time bosun, making this call is a very difficult one, but I trust the decision is the right one. I’ve witnessed Nathan educate his team, talk to his team constantly, and we need some people who can understand direction and then take action. That’s not happening with Tess and Christian.”
Why Captain Sandy fired Christian Trimino and Tessa Budd on Below Deck Med
While explaining himself during his one-on-one conversation with Captain Sandy, Nathan first referenced his more experienced third deckhand, Max Salvador, who had clashed with Christian from day one.
“I can see Max getting frustrated with Christian and Tessa, but he’s also trying to remain positive,” he reasoned. “And then I’m getting frustrated as well, because it’s just not good enough. If I had time to train them up, I would, but I feel like they’re miles off it.”
So, Captain Sandy radioed for Christian to join them in the bridge first.
“Times like this [are] never easy for me — ever,” she told Christian. “But safety’s non-negotiable. It’s number one; we all know that. So, at this point, I’m letting you go. I’m really sorry. This is just about safety and for efficiency.”
As you may recall, a lack of experience plagued Nathan’s deck team, leading to such critical errors as a charter guest floating away on an eFoil — and even Christian himself getting stranded on a watercraft. Later, Christian also broke a safety rule when guest who demanded a night swim ended up slipping and falling into the sea.
Sandy and Nathan offered even more of an explanation when they summoned Tessa to the bridge, next.
“From what I’ve observed and speaking with Nathan, it’s completely chaotic on deck. It’s not safe,” Captain Sandy told her, while Nathan chimed in, “There’s been a few incidents where guests have gone missing or they’ve gone too far; they’ve jumped on an eFoil without an [introduction].”
As Captain Sandy concluded, “I have to make a change. I’m really sorry, but I gotta let you go.”
How Christian Trimino and Tessa Budd reacted to being fired
In the wake of being fired, an appreciative Christian thanked Captain Sandy and Nathan for the opportunity to work aboard Bravado.
“I mean, yeah, their reasons are valid, but I wish I had the opportunity to show them I’m capable,” he added in a confessional. “Sorry if I put someone in danger. It’s disappointing.”
Before leaving the vessel, Christian shared that his dad had been in more than 20 aircraft accidents that left him with “blood and scratches and glass in his skin.”
“This feels worse than the way he described them,” he elaborated to a producer. “But, like, [the] silver lining is if I stayed, I’m sure at some point I would have punched Max in the face.”
Tessa, meanwhile, had a much more fiery response to being let go, particularly after Sandy advised her to get some more experience on smaller boats.
“Honestly, like, f–k her; I don’t need her help,” Tessa vented in a confessional. “I feel like Nathan’s leadership style is pretty s–t. I feel like I also didn’t get the opportunity to, like, show my skills. Good luck. It’s their loss.”
As she continued later, “It’s sad. I maybe could have had more confidence on deck, but I was just so weary of, like, where I stood on the deck team. I hope on my next boat that my bosun believes in me and has half a brain cell.”
Tessa did end her time on Below Deck Med with a more positive message, though: “I really do wish Nathan all the best,” she said, before joking about her “twitching” eye. “I’m sure he’ll do great.”
