Below Deck Mediterranean’s Tessa Budd did not take kindly to Captain Sandy Yawn firing her — and she made her disappointment known.
During the Monday, October 27, episode of the hit Bravo series, boson Nathan Gallagher had to pick who from his deck team would get fired: Christian Trimino or Tessa. In a surprise turn of events, Nathan opted to nominate that both Christian and Tessa get replaced. He explained to Sandy that he didn’t think they would pick up the skills needed to work on deck in time to help him finish the rest of the season.
Sandy agreed with Nathan and started by calling Christian in to dismiss him. Christian, who got in trouble for letting a drunk guest in the water at night, graciously accepted his firing despite calling it a “disappointing” decision.
“The reasons are valid but I wish I had the opportunity to show them that I am capable,” he shared in a confessional before apologizing for putting “someone in danger” during his shift on deck.
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Tessa, however, wasn’t as understanding when called to speak to Sandy and Nathan.
“I am really sorry but I have to let you go,” Sandy told Tessa. “I know you come from a big boat, which is a different experience. But if I may, get on small boats. Because on small boats you learn everything.”
While speaking to producers, Tessa blew off Sandy’s advice, adding, “Honestly like f*** her. I don’t need her help.”
She continued: “I feel like Nathan’s leadership style is pretty s***. I feel like I also didn’t get the opportunity to show my skills. Good luck to them, it is their loss.”
Season 10 reunited Sandy and Nathan with Aesha Scott. In addition to past Below Deck star deckhand Max Salvador, the rest of the crew includes Chef Josh Bingham and stews Kizzi Kitchener and Victoria SanJuan.
“Consistency makes a better boat,” Sandy exclusively told Us Weekly in September about hoping to remain with some of the same crew season to season. “You’re not always training people and they’re not always finding their feet. But to be honest, every boat that we get every season is different. It’s rare we get the same boat every season.”
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Sandy didn’t rule out changes later in the season, sharing, “No matter if you return or not, you’re still going to have to figure out the boat because it’ll probably be a different one. Having consistency when we return is great because the trust factor for me is there — or the watch factor to make sure I keep an eye on them. Because sometimes they’re just not great at certain things but they’re great at others.”
She concluded: “Aesha is well-rounded. [With Nathan], I think unless you’re pushed into something, you’re never going to know if you’re a fit. I think pressure makes us better. I do apply the pressure and let’s see how well Nathan handles that pressure.”
By the time Monday’s episode came to an end, Captain Sandy found one deck replacement — Below Deck Med alum Joe Bradley. It remains unclear who will take over the second vacant position on deck.
Below Deck Med airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.
