Below Deck Down Under‘s Captain Jason Chambers has proven once more that he’s the best Captain in the franchise. Bosun Wihan Du Toit finally got fired after the personal and professional drama he caused onboard the Katina, taking Deckhand Johnny Arvanitis down with him. Wihan was more concerned with writing love letters to Adair Werley than managing his deck crew, culminating in a bunk bed mix-up in which Sous Chef Alesia Harris accidentally climbed into cuddle with Wihan.
Johnny was understandably upset, but after reacting violently towards Wihan, Captain Jason couldn’t risk another season like Below Deck Down Under season 2, after Luke Jones attempted to assault Margot Sisson. Captain Jason may have hoped that Below Deck Down Under season 3 would involve less drama than season 2, but so far, he’s had to lay down the law and make tough decisions. Here’s why other Captains should take note of his leadership style.
Captain Jason Chambers Isn’t Afraid To Fire Cast Members
He Did The Right Thing With Wihan And Johnny
Captain Jason isn’t afraid to fire cast members, making him the boldest and bravest in the franchise. After the debacle with Luke in Below Deck Down Under season 2, the Australian Captain isn’t messing around. He didn’t tolerate attempted sexual assault and prioritized crew safety over anything else. Captain Jason employed the same tactics in Below Deck Down Under season 3 when he chose to fire Wihan and Johnny in one fell swoop.
While Johnny was a solid deckhand who made a mistake, Captain Jason wasn’t going to put up with aggression or violence onboard, even if he aimed at a wall. It’s important to have crew members who can manage their emotions, even when drunk or angry. Johnny, for his part, seemed to thoroughly regret his actions and understood why he was fired.
Captain Jason’s relationship with Wihan was a little more complicated, but he also seemed to know it was time to cut ties. He patiently listened to Wihan’s complaints throughout the season, but he was also receptive to Chief Stew Lara Rigby’s woes and trusted Harry Van Vilet’s assessment of his boss’s work ethic. In the end, Captain Jason does what’s best for his crew.
Captain Jason Knows When Cast Members Need Room To Grow
He’s Patient Yet Stern
While Captain Jason wasn’t afraid to fire Johnny and Wihan, he also knows when crew members need room to grow. He takes a mentorship approach, allowing cast members to learn through experience rather than immediate reprimand, as seen with his reactions towards Wihan earlier in the season. However, that’s not the only example. Captain Jason offered João Franco a second chance despite his turbulent past. The Captain recognized his potential and gave him the space to reestablish himself in a leadership role.
Captain Jason balances strong leadership with empathy and understanding.
Captain Jason has extended grace to newer or struggling crew members, like when he gave Stew Magda Ziomek opportunities to improve despite early missteps in season 1. Another example came in seasons 2 and 3 with Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph. Captain Jason sometimes seems annoyed with the Chef, but he also tries to help her by guiding her and hiring a Sous Chef. He has also offered Lara suggestions, especially when it comes to Stew Marina Marcondes de Barros. Captain Jason isn’t overly controlling, but tries to guide his crew members.
Will Captain Jason Fire Lara Next?
They Might Butt Heads
There are clues that Captain Jason might need to make another tough call with Lara. While Lara came into the season with experience and confidence, her resistance to course correction could be a major problem. She’s shown a stubborn reluctance to rotate her team through various duties, particularly sticking Marina in laundry and cabins full-time despite expectations of training across departments.
|
Below Deck Down Under |
Jason Chambers |
|---|---|
|
Age |
52 |
|
Job |
Captain |
|
Hometown |
Gosford, Australia |
Lara defends the choice by saying she’s protecting the guest experience, but the move has irritated Marina and Adair. Unfortunately, Lara’s one-track mindset is failing her team, but the problems go beyond workflow. Her volatile feud with Wihan dominated the early part of the season, creating a rift that reached every corner of the boat. Wihan may have walked the plank, but that decision doesn’t absolve Lara of her part in the toxic dynamic. If Lara does ignore Captain Jason’s instructions to train Marina on service, she could be the next to go on Below Deck Down Under.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT and streams the next day on Peacock.