“I think it’s the right call” — Below Deck Mediterranean star Captain Sandy on firing Christian Trimino and Tessa Budd

Captain Sandy Yawn's emotional decision to fire Christian Trimino and Tessa Budd, two of her crew members, in Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10, demonstrated once again that leadership is often defined by difficult decisions. Sandy, who was well-known for her calm leadership and people-first strategy, acknowledged that the choice conflicted with her guilt.

“I think it’s the right call. It makes me sad I have to do this,” she said, visibly conflicted yet resolute in prioritizing safety over sentiment.

A growing concern about poor communication, unsafe deck practices and a lack of team spirit aboard the superyacht fueled the firings. Sandy the perfectionist, for sure, but also Sandy the everyday person who doesn’t get it right all the time. Her decision has since sparked a lot of debate among Below Deck Mediterranean viewers, with some commending her professionalism and others lamenting the tough loss for the deck crew.

Leadership lessons from Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10

Every charter on Below Deck Mediterranean puts the captain's leadership and the crew's resiliency to the test. That dynamic was heightened in Season 10, when Captain Sandy balanced discipline and mentoring in the face of escalating hostilities. Her ultimate choice to fire two crew members after navigating interpersonal conflicts and operational errors highlighted a single reality: safety and responsibility come first when it comes to yacht management.

A captain’s call rooted in discipline and trust

Sandy and recently hired bosun Nathan Gallagher observed that communication problems were increasing as the team fought to keep uniformity on deck. Sandy was forced to take drastic action for the crew's safety after a near-miss during a docking maneuver became the last straw.

“As a first-time bosun, making this call is a very difficult one, but I trust the decision is the right one. I've witnessed Nathan educate his team... we need some people who can understand direction... That’s not happening with Tess and Christian.”

Nathan's words mirrored Sandy's own beliefs: accountability fosters teamwork, and discipline increases safety. Her readiness to support a new commander demonstrated her faith in her officers and strengthened the shared-responsibility culture aboard.

When safety outweighs sentiment

Sandy has never shied away from difficult decisions, despite her generally positive and upbeat relationship with her workers. It became evident to her after speaking with Christian that a leader may be both forceful and compassionate.

“Times like this [are] never easy for me — ever,” she told Christian. “But safety’s non-negotiable. It’s number one; we all know that.”

Her statement encapsulated Below Deck Mediterranean's philosophy: every choice, regardless of how sentimental, must be in line with the yacht's operational integrity. Sandy's behavior served as a reminder to fans of why she is still regarded as one of Bravo's most admired captains, not because she stays out of trouble, but rather because she leads with compassion, decisiveness, and uncompromising standards.

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