A new season of Below Deck is here just in time to help you shake off those winter blues. Captain Lee Rosbach has stepped down from his post, but Below Deck Adventure star Captain Kerry Titheradge is ready to man the bridge and steer the luxury yacht St. David through Grenada in Captain Lee’s stead. Despite the change in leadership, fans can count on the long-running Bravo show to deliver all the nautical and naughty drama they expect.
When asked how he felt about taking over for a legend like Captain Lee, Titheradge responded thoughtfully: “I feel grateful. It’s an honor to continue Lee’s legacy and to create my own.” Titheradge’s firm, but fair management is a welcome addition to the Below Deck franchise as is his love of ecotourism which encourages travelers to visit natural wonders in a responsible and sustainable manner. “Most people who are on the ocean a lot really care about the environment,” explained Titheradge. On Season 11, Titheradge promises “there are going to be more excursions and more beaches” than ever before.
In addition to his successful yachting career, Titheradge is a doting father to his children. The Below Deck season premiere reveals that he stepped back from the sea for a time to be a better dad. “I had to make a choice when I had reached the pinnacle of my career,” explained Titheradge. After securing a job at a friend’s painting company, Titheradge got to work. “I put the earbuds in and put on self-help books and started yoga and meditating,” remembered Titheradge. “I tried everything, everything that’s good for you, to get my head straight.” Luckily, his hard work paid off and his relationship with his children is now better than ever.
Over Zoom, we spoke to Titheradge about the upcoming season, working with Chief Stew Fraser Olender, and his policy on boatmances.
DECIDER: How does it feel to take over the Below Deck franchise from the great Captain Lee?
CAPTAIN KERRY TITHERADGE: I feel grateful. Lee has been doing this for 10 years. He pioneered the way that we’re able to show the world what the yachting industry is all about and provide a bit of drama and some fun along the way. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to continue Lee’s legacy in the show and also create my own. This is my second season of Below Deck. I was thrilled to head back to the Caribbean, which I’ve done for most of my career.
I spoke to Captain Lee at BravoCon, and he couldn’t have been more supportive of your journey. Have you been in touch at all?
Not since before BravoCon. We went to the gym, and he kicked my ass. I’m not going back there for a while [laughs].
They don’t call him the stud of the seas for nothing!
He is! Man, he sorted me out. Don’t worry about that [laughs]. I was really sore after.
Before Below Deck Adventure and Below Deck Down Under, I don’t think I had ever heard the term “ecotourism” before. How did that become a passion of yours?
Look, I’ve been at sea for a long time. Most people who are on the ocean a lot really care about the environment. We are very careful. In Australia, we are taught to take care of our beautiful country. We don’t have as many carbon footprints as in the States, and we’ve got some amazing reef systems. I actually used to work for the Australian Institute of Marine Science. I ran one of their boats for a period of time. Saving the environment has always been a passion of mine.
I had no idea! It’s cliché to say, but you are really are like an onion. A new layer is peeled every couple of episodes. In the season premiere, I was surprised to learn you took time off from yachting to be with your children. Can you talk about that sacrifice?
I was on the verge of a divorce. My wife was always the emotional support for my kids, and I was left to be the disciplinarian. That’s what I was taught by my parents. I wasn’t emotionally connected to my children like I am now. I had to make a choice when I had reached the pinnacle of my career. I was running a 300-foot yacht in the Maldives, which was incredible. There’s only a small club of us who have done that.
I gave all that up because I wanted to work on myself so I could be there for my kids as they went through this traumatic experience of a divorce. I came home. My old landlord had a painting company, and he said, “Kerry, you can come and work alongside the boys.” So, I got to work. I put the earbuds in and put on self-help books and started yoga and meditating. I tried everything, everything that’s good for you, to get my head straight. I gave up drinking. It worked because the connection I have with my children today is incredible.
What do they think about their dad becoming a reality TV star?
“Ugh, Dad.” [Laughs] Their teachers are the ones that I think care about it more. For my daughter’s school, I would go there and be the school mascot. I would dress up as this tiger. All the teachers would come out to catch a glimpse of Captain Kerry, but I’d have my tiger helmet on so they didn’t see me [laughs].
How did you find your way back into the yachting industry?
It was organic. I was still very connected to the industry. I realized that I didn’t have the family unit I had before and that I couldn’t be away for as much as I used to be. I needed to be home. So, I formed a boutique yacht management company. My focus is on those clients who are just starting off in the yachting industry. A lot of companies focus on the big boats because that’s more prestigious, but these smaller guys, you can guide them the right way into yachting.
There are many who have watched the show and decided to get into yachting. Two weeks ago, I was at a canvas store with one of my other customers, and a guy came in with his two teenage kids. They’re looking at me, and he goes, “So you’re the reason I bought a yacht.” He’s like, “You’re the reason.” I’m like, “What’d I do?” He goes, “We watched your show, and we wanted to be on yachts too.” I’m like, “That’s magic.” I gave him my card and said to call me if he needed help. Not many people at my level really help the new boat owners along because educating people is a lot of work.
I spoke to Fraser the other day, and he thinks you might have been a little spoiled with your Below Deck Adventure crew because they didn’t give you the same amount of drama as this season’s Below Deck yachties?
I don’t agree with that. I had to fire a guy on Adventure right off the bat for the way that he was threatening others and making the girls uncomfortable. I had to make a quick call on that, which meant we’re already a deckhand down. The chef I had on that season was also a handful. Yes, there are some dramas on this season of Below Deck, absolutely, and maybe I’m just more used to it now, but it’s chalk and cheese.
Oh, I remember Chef Jess. She was an amazing chef, but had a lot going on.
We all make mistakes. I actually saw Jess during the boat show recently. It was great to see her and she’s very happy.
Fraser is one of the best yachties the Below Deck franchise has ever seen. Were you relieved he was your Chief Stew?
I first met Fraser at BravoCon year before last. For my first event, I stood beside Lee and Fraser and got selfies taken with these amazing fans. They all wanted to see Lee and Fraser and wondered who the hell I was. The fans were polite, don’t get me wrong, and Fraser and Lee were so supportive during it all. They both were so welcoming, Fraser especially. When I found out that Fraser was my chief stew, I was super excited.
The relationship between the Captain and their Bosun is one of the most important dynamics on a yacht. What can you tell me about working with Jared Woodin?
Jared is an experienced captain running smaller boats. The great thing about Jared is he could understand where my head was at. He had some problems verbalizing that with me as we see that in the first episode.
What’s your policy on a boatmances between the yachties?
This does come up in the season. Boatmances become a problem when a triangle develops. Feelings get hurt and that affects the guest’s enjoyment of the yacht. If a boatmance can remain in the cabins without public displays of affection, I’m fine. Even better, I’d prefer not to know about it. That’s better for everybody.
It’s always messy when a Captain has to address a boatmance gone bad.
There’s a possibility that could happen.
Interesting! What else can you tease about the rest of the season?
This season is going to be more of a Below Deck/ Below Deck Adventure hybrid. We’re going to see a lot more crew and guest involvement together. There are going to be more excursions and more beaches than you’ve ever seen before. There’s a chocolate factory. There are amazing waterfalls. There are tears as well [laughs]. I get asked to do something that I thought I would never ever do, and I do it. I can’t wait for everyone to see.
