Sandy Yawn's Journey To Becoming A Boat Captain

Captain Sandy, or Sandy Yawn, is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has been a yacht captain for more than 27 years. She found fame on Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean, where she navigated the 154-foot Sirocco yacht. Sandy's career in boating began when she answered an ad in the paper for detailing boats. She then worked full-time for the owner of a 67-foot boat, who paid for her to earn her captain's license. She worked with him for almost ten years before joining the cast of Below Deck in 2015.

Captain Sandy Yawn is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Yawn's passion for the water led her to become a certified scuba diver and a crew member on a boat. The boat's owner encouraged her to attend the Maritime Professional Training school in Fort Lauderdale in the early 1990s to learn about the financial aspects of yachting. She went on to receive a Masters of Oceans All Oceans license from the United States Coast Guard and became a yacht captain.

As a captain, Yawn has chartered yachts in New England, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf. She has also gained fame as the captain on Bravo's "Below Deck Mediterranean," where she navigates the 154-foot Sirocco yacht and showcases her leadership skills.

In addition to her career at sea, Yawn has been open about her personal struggles, including her battle with addiction and a near-fatal motorcycle accident. She has also found love, marrying her wife, Leah Shafer, in 2024 aboard a superyacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The couple recently relocated to Florida and currently resides in St. John's County.

She has been a yacht captain for over 30 years

Captain Sandy Yawn, known for her role on the reality TV show "Below Deck Mediterranean", has been a yacht captain for over 30 years. She is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up on the water, cleaning boats as an early job. Yawn's career in yachting began when she decided to answer an ad in the paper for detailing boats. She did so well that one of the customers offered to hire her full time. Her new employer taught her how to dock, sent her to sea school, and even paid for her to get her captain's license. She stayed loyal to him and worked for his family for nine years.

Yawn has faced challenges as a female captain in a male-dominated industry. She has had to prove herself and her capabilities time and again. She recounts an instance when she was on board with engineers, and she knew that she had the knowledge, but they talked down to her because she was a woman. She selected engineers based on their attitude, rather than their knowledge, because she had the knowledge herself.

Yawn has also had to deal with people doubting her skills because of her friendly and approachable nature. She explains that she has to set a precedent and let her crew know that she is in charge, while still being warm and friendly. She has had to be assertive and put things on a lighter note when people doubted her because of her gender.

In addition to her career as a yacht captain, Yawn has also ventured into television, starting in 2017 with "Below Deck Mediterranean". She has also started an I Believe speaking tour, where she shares her story of overcoming addiction and turning her life around. She encourages other women to get into boating and yachting and hopes to inspire them to take risks and follow their dreams.

Yawn's life and career have not been without challenges and setbacks. She has faced addiction, alcoholism, and even a near-death experience in a motorcycle accident. However, she has persevered and built a successful career as a yacht captain, blazing a trail for other women in the industry.

She was a cast member on the reality TV show 'Below Deck Mediterranean'

Captain Sandy Yawn joined the cast of Bravo's reality TV show Below Deck Mediterranean in 2017, making her debut in Season 2 of the show. She replaced Captain Mark Howard at the helm and made history as the first and only female captain in the franchise.

Captain Sandy has been the face of the Below Deck Mediterranean spinoff for eight seasons in a row. She has been mentoring her crew members while navigating mega-yachts in the Mediterranean Sea. She is known for her position as a leader in an often-intense environment.

Before joining the show, Captain Sandy had worked in the yachting industry for 27 years. She is one of only a handful of female yachting captains in the industry. She is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and grew up on the water in Bradenton, Florida. She started off detailing boats and then worked for a customer full-time, who taught her how to dock, sent her to sea school, and invested in her career. She stayed and worked with him for almost ten years.

Captain Sandy revealed that she was initially worried about her reputation in the yachting industry before agreeing to appear on reality TV. She thought it would ruin her career. However, she eventually decided to take the opportunity and join the show. She has stated that she loves doing the show and inspiring new crew members. She also appreciates how the series has shed light on the yachting industry, to which she is extremely devoted.

She is one of the few female superyacht captains in the industry

Captain Sandy Yawn is a familiar face on Bravo's "Below Deck Mediterranean", where she navigates the 154-foot superyacht Sirocco with skill and grace. She is one of the few female superyacht captains in the industry, and her journey to this position began in Bradenton, Florida, where she grew up on the water. Despite a challenging adolescence that included a struggle with addiction, she found her calling on the sea.

Sandy's career in yachting spans 36 years, with 27 of those as a captain. She got her start detailing boats, and her talent was quickly recognised by a customer who offered her a full-time position. Her new employer supported her career by teaching her how to dock, sending her to sea school, and investing in her education. She stayed loyal to him and his family for nine years, during which she gained valuable experience on smaller vessels, building her confidence and knowledge.

Sandy's big break came when she was hired by a billionaire owner of a 157-foot superyacht. She was involved in the build process of the Trinity yacht, which gave her an intimate understanding of the vessel. This opportunity allowed her to showcase her capabilities as a captain and led to her becoming a well-respected figure in the industry.

While Sandy has faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, she has turned her unique position into a strength. She is a strong advocate for more women in yachting and encourages young women to pursue careers as captains and chefs. Sandy's leadership style is characterised by her people skills, direct communication, and kindness. She leads by example, expecting a lot from her crew while also believing in their potential.

Captain Sandy Yawn's success as one of the few female superyacht captains is a testament to her determination, skill, and passion for the maritime industry. She continues to inspire others through her work on "Below Deck Mediterranean" and her "I Believe" tour, where she shares her journey and empowers others to pursue their dreams.

She is in a relationship with gospel singer Leah Shafer

Captain Sandy Yawn of "Below Deck Mediterranean" is in a relationship with gospel singer Leah Shafer. The two met on Facebook in June 2018 when Shafer sent Yawn a message congratulating her on the show. Shafer's message, which included "many blessings", stood out to Yawn, who is a spiritual person. After getting to know each other online, the pair met in person in Los Angeles, and sparks began to fly.

Yawn and Shafer felt an instant connection, which Yawn described as a "spiritual connection". They fell in love, and Yawn even relocated to Denver to be with Shafer. The couple has faced some backlash from faith-based communities for being so open about their relationship, but they have persevered and continue to share their love publicly.

In May 2024, Yawn and Shafer married aboard a superyacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The yacht was lent to the couple by their friend Carolyn Aronson. The couple first went Instagram official after several months of dating and later started their own podcast, "Captain Sandy and Leah Rae Show".

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