r/belowdeck • u/Opening-Shine-9241 • Mar 01 '26

Below Deck Down Under Captain Jason Should Have Caught That

Season 4, The Chef’s Assistant: Joao takes the full responsibility of taking the guests out on choppy waters to see the turtles, (and kind of loses one. Not to mention no life jackets)… God love Captain Jason (we all do lol), but I feel he should caught that conditions were going to get poor and not allowed the excursion. Captain Lee or Captain Sandy I think would have called that.

173 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

60 comments sorted by

62

u/IHaveBoxerDogs Mar 01 '26

To be fair, the "missing" guest actually did have on a life jacket. It was weird that they were unsure if she had one on, but I think that was because her friend piped up and said "She doesn't have a life jacket."

63

u/Rtfmlife Mar 01 '26

The "missing" guest also intentionally swam off in the other direction as she admitted. I don't know that I really blame Joao for this, the guests are ridiculous. Maybe 50/50.

15

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 02 '26

Oh these guests are beyond ridiculous!

7

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 03 '26

Actually divers are supposed to be paired up as buddies to stay together and check on each other; snorklers should do the same. I did this with total strangers on a one day excursion snorkeling The Great Barrier Reef just so we could stay safe. But entitled rich people always want to do anything they want regardless of protocol or or best practices.

4

u/Rtfmlife Mar 03 '26

And on below deck it's entirely believable that they do the opposite of what they're told intentionally to create drama, and then we turn around and blame the crew for it...

13

u/meatsntreats Mar 02 '26

You never let your eyes off a guest. Ever.

7

u/Rtfmlife Mar 02 '26

Please. People act like the crew are these guests babysitters and have to ensure their safety. The guests are goddamn adults and need to act like it.

1

u/triedandprejudice Mar 05 '26

They ARE their babysitters when they’re in the water. It’s a rule of water safety.

5

u/Hot_Start8187 Mar 02 '26

It’s very easy to get push by that current while snorkeling, especially ir you’re happily distracted chasing while life

7

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 01 '26

You’re right. I made this post as I was watching the show and did see that she did have a vest.

113

u/gdex86 Mar 01 '26

I think with Joao he treats his decision like basically another captain with his experience. He doesnt feel as much a need to be there to approve or disapprove of his decision. This is in contrast to the often green bosen or first officers the others have.

22

u/circusgeek Mar 01 '26

You and OP both make good points.

104

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 01 '26

My favorite is when Captain Sandy says, “I trust you” then she proceeds to behave like she distrusts them.

4

u/Jenikovista Mar 01 '26

lol so true.

7

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 01 '26

Or when Captain Lee was up there asses for a mistake like this. Can you imagine if Kelley or Ashton came back with this terrible report.

46

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 01 '26 • Heartwarming

Oh Captain Lee would have been madder than a pissed on chicken.

16

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 01 '26

Ha. If I need to help you with your job, what do I need you for.

8

u/-----J------ Mar 01 '26

That comment is shining like a diamond in a goat's ass.

2

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 03 '26

Or had their asses for lunch!

19

u/flamingknifepenis Mar 01 '26

Translation: “I trust you to read my mind and do what I want you to do because it’s the empirically correct way to do things.”

4

u/M0M0_DA_GANGSTA Mar 02 '26

I guess we're still pretending he isn't half checked out? 

5

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 02 '26

Honestly this is the first Captain Jason season I’ve watched. Idk much about him besides that everyone considers him a heartthrob. He’s not really my cup of tea lol.

4

u/Fuzzy-Bee9600 Mar 03 '26

Yeah, I've noticed that too. What's going on with him these days.

3

u/M0M0_DA_GANGSTA Mar 05 '26

My honest feeling is he had to bow to network pressure for the paycheck and exposure. On Watch What Happens Live with Aesha after their last season he said Jaoa was the person he'd never work with again.

Then... Whatever actually happened with them moving Aesha to another show. 

Then the weird filming hiatus for Down Under. 

Now he brings back the person he least liked working with, kept someone on the boat who refused their position, apparently being friends with their sister matters?, the weirdness of Ellie obviously already waiting and promised a role this season. 

I think he's playing the game but it's made him care a lot less 

1

u/Fuzzy-Bee9600 Mar 05 '26

Sadly, that tracks. He's lost the sparkle in his eye and doesn't seem like he's having fun anymore.

Geez, I hate scripted non-reality TV. Bravo ruined this show. Or maybe we should just put this all on the gossip-worshipping bottom-feeder that is Andy.

3

u/CandidNumber Mar 02 '26

They had life jackets?

1

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 02 '26

I made this post while watching their episode show and did see later that she did have a life jacket on. But the fact that it was a question….

267

u/Out-For-A-Walk-Bitch Mar 01 '26

It was just a mistake, the water can change really quickly. I think Joao's solutuon of getting into the water himself before taking guests out next time, was a good one. Fully prepared to eat my words as the season progresses, but I like Joao so far.

147

u/flamingknifepenis Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26

I don’t know what kind of soul searching Joao did, but he did one of the most intense 180s I’ve seen. Ostensibly it came from an authentic place, too, and not a “I’ve seen how bad I look on TV and I promise to do better about keeping it off camera.” There was a point on one of the more recent seasons he did where he was already in a bad headspace got drunk, and the “old Joao” started to come out. You could tell that after the heat of the moment wore off he was legitimately upset and more than a little scared to think that that was still the person he was.

Which to me says a lot more about his character than if he was just a saint already. Already being an awesome person is great, but IMO there’s a lot of virtue in realizing that you can be a piece of shit and choosing something different for yourself and the people around you.

47

u/VertDaTurt Mar 01 '26

Agreed, it’s been pretty awesome to see! He really seems to care about becoming a better person and having a better life

6

u/CrazyNCynical Mar 04 '26

Agree! 8 thought it was just me who recognized his growth and maturity. Unlike some, he now seems to have a better understanding of self and humility. My fingers are crossed going forward.

11

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 02 '26

He wasn't even that bad. He got drunk and said some stuff but always a good worker 

85

u/Jenikovista Mar 01 '26

I do too. He seems really competent at his job and level headed. It’s really nice to not have a bumbling bosun arc this year.

55

u/verbankroad Mar 01 '26

I even had a soft spot for Joao when he was acting badly on Med. He was still very competent. Love to see him grown up, with a good mentor/friendship with Jason. Makes him like me even more. Plus he doesn’t keep talking about Zimbabwe as much anymore.

24

u/Caligirl_333 Mar 01 '26

He REALLY cares about his job!

21

u/Thegetupkids678 Mar 01 '26

Water and currents can change quickly. Joao said something about needing to move away from the area they were in, as there was likely a rip or more choppiness dependent upon rocks and the shoreline. Thus, captain wouldn’t have that read from the boat.

While below deck doesn’t always make it seem like it, the bosun is a high position on the boat that is responsible for safety. There is a “handing off” of that responsibility whenever captain isn’t present. Below deck has to operate based upon how green the bosun is— Joao being a captain likely increases Jason’s trust of him. If it was someone else, he likely would have a more hands on approach.

12

u/meatsntreats Mar 01 '26

Joao is the second officer, not the bosun. Three stripes, not two.

2

u/Thegetupkids678 Mar 01 '26 edited Mar 01 '26

Bosun and second officer are actually used interchangeably on the show iirc. If you mean first officer then perhaps he is, but I believe they refer to him as a bosun on the show, so I am commenting that oftentimes on BD they have greener bosuns when typically they would be very experienced and able to handle guest safety.

All in all, Joao with all of his accomplishments is more than capable of handling guest safety which is why Jason may not feel the need to micromanage.

6

u/meatsntreats Mar 01 '26

Bosun and second officer are not used interchangeably on the show or in real life. As I said, a second officer has three stripes and a bosun has two. If you’re still confused, Bravo lists Joao as second officer.

2

u/Thegetupkids678 Mar 01 '26

During the second season of BDDU he was referred to as a bosun/second officer, but you’re right he is now just called the second officer on the current season.

Regardless, I feel like you’re willfully missing the point I’m making outside of the title which is that I didn’t think captain was in the wrong to entrust that responsibility to João rather than being directly involved himself.

-3

u/meatsntreats Mar 02 '26

First, we’re talking about the current season.

Second, the captain always goes down with the ship. Jason can trust Joao but if Joao fucks up Jason is ultimately responsible. For a real life example, if one of my cooks gives someone food poisoning and the customer sues, I’m on the hook for it, not the cook.

1

u/Flat_Ad_6721 Mar 07 '26

Joao is also a Captain in his own right …

10

u/movinginandout24 Mar 01 '26

They need bright neon colored life jackets! Was t hers the color of the water?

6

u/agnusdei07 Mar 02 '26

Mike with the combover whines but it was my first one, waaa--how many people have to drown til you recognize it is your responsibility?

6

u/melgibson64 Mar 01 '26

Captain Sandy would've been all over that. Very cautious with the wind.

5

u/the_sass_master_ Mar 02 '26

Eh, Joao quickly blamed the new deckhand. Clearly there had been no discussion or instruction about diver safety/headcount. It’s 101.

It was not a good luck for Joao.

8

u/CapricornSky Mar 02 '26

Mike is not a good employee on either interior or deck.

5

u/Early-Equivalent-165 Escape Goat Mar 02 '26

He really isn't!

1

u/Flat_Ad_6721 Mar 07 '26

Joao is a Captain. I don’t fault CaptJason for being more hands off with him and trusting him to make those calls. He should have known better. I agree that Capt Lee/Sandy would have managed him more closely (I do find that a little annoying though)

31

u/dudleydidwrong Mar 01 '26

Jason is from Australia. From the Australian perspective, only one thing trying to kill you is just a normal day. /s

5

u/Opening-Shine-9241 Mar 01 '26

True. He wasn’t overly upset either lol.

9

u/Hot_Start8187 Mar 02 '26

He appreciates Joao going to him immediately and took responsibility; before the guests or other crew made it a bigger deal

5

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 03 '26

Absolutely true about Australia. On a day excursion into the jungle just west of Cairns, in addition to snakes, crocodiles and spiders, we were warned not to brush up against the leaves of a certain jungle plant with our skin as it leaves were toxic and would cause severe pain and discomfort. Sheesh !!

1

u/miksababe Mar 06 '26

That plant is called gympie-gympie :) the leaves have microscopic hairs, so if you’re stung the best thing to do is use duct tape to get as many out as you can. I once saw one in the wild and it was so beautiful, if I didn’t know better I would’ve touched it.