Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
When Captain Lee had to step away from theSt.
Walking onto a new boat, especially one with an already established crew, is never easy.
What did she think of her new reports?
And then, of course, there were Camille and Alissa.
But under Yawns reign, she molded the crew into a dream team.
When people are humble, and they ask for help, Im there for them, Yawn said.
So, you venture to rise 30,000 feet and assess your people.
Its also hard for crews to go from different management styles, so I also take that into consideration.
What were your expectations before taking over?
Thats a big sacrifice for my relationship.
I was told it was only going to be a week, a couple of charters.
Even if Captain Lee couldnt come back, I had to leave.
How long did you stay?Five charters.
Can deckstews ever work out?
Or are they destined for failure?So, let me tell you where the deckstew came from.
Small boats, right.
On larger vessels, its impossible to have that person that goes in and out.
Everybody needs a job description.
And to take a stab at have a person have two bosses?
Try that out, see how it works for you.
So thats for small boats, it isnt for superyachts.
Youre either on deck, or youre on interior.
You cant do both because it tears the person apart.
Remember, were all human beings.
What are you gonna do?
Im not there to discuss what they do in a bedroom, and those people are in an agreement.
I do step in when it starts to interfere with their job.
Can you talk about your relationship with Katie?
It was clear she admired you.
Did you have any side conversations about being women in boating?Not onboard.
After the season, I had a fundraiser and she came and she says, You inspire me.
I want to be a captain like you someday, I say, Ill help you.
Because man, he is a player.
I know they say, Dont hate the player, hate the game, but Im blown away.
Because during the season, Im like, Youve been a captain before.
Why did you stop being a captain?
And after watching his behavior Im thinking,Hmmm, maybe thats why.
Very disappointing to see how he was with the ladies onboard.
Just no respect for them.
Or for himself in that matter … but what an excellent bosun.
I dont know if people think its just a frat house.
Its an actual real job.
Come on, man, have some respect for the women onboard.
But when you add alcohol, its not their friend.
Clearly, its not their friend.
I mean, thats a really good edit.
Dont you think if I did, I would have called her right to the bridge?
I would have ended her contractthat day.
Also, were filming a show, so I work with production on how to fire.
But the reality is, I would never have someone who was so disrespectful like that.
I can fire her.
And I think when I walked in, she didnt think I could.
Everybody thought the problem was Camille.
Now everybodys saying the problem actually wasnt Camille.
Hes got to learn to lead becauseheshould have shut that down.
My chief stews in the past, they would never engage because you have to have that fine line.
Otherwise people dont respect you and your leadership role.
Clearly, Alissa doesnt.
I mean, look at Hayley.
She handled it with class.
But Hayleys older, Hayley has more life experience than Alissa and Fraser.
Alissa is all about Alissa.
You sent Fraser such a sweet text message.
It was my first chief stew job.
I learned a lot from you.
And I think thats what Fraser did.
When people are humble, and they ask for help, Im there for them.
Ive been doing this for years, Ive had a lot of crews.
I had a collaborator.
Apart from the TV show, we spend years together.
And those crew she interviewed, and theyre in my book.
They talked about my leadership style.
Its not easy reading a book out loud in three days.
That was the hardest challenge in my life.
Writing the book was emotional, invigorating.
Just, you know, the memories all came back.
Do you think retirement is on the horizon?I will never retire.
I got many years in front of me.
Even if I won the lottery, I would still run a boat.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
