I’m a huge Bravo fan… huge. But, there was one show that I wasn’t giving a fair shot to that I finally came around to watching—Below Deck Mediterranean. In the latest season, I couldn’t help but be enthralled by Captain Sandy Yawn (she/her). Her poise and professionalism while managing a crew on, well, a giant boat is mesmerizing. I thought to myself, “How on earth does she remain so chill?” A lesson that as an overthinker I’ve been quite desperate to learn. I had the chance to speak with her about her career, her book on leadership, and how she practices “being the calm” despite having a challenge right in your face.

How did you get started as a superyacht captain?
After getting kicked out of the 11th grade, I joined the maritime industry because a high school diploma wasn’t required. Then, a yacht owner invested in me, paid for my schooling, and I found myself working for him for nine years, and advancing my career. After working for that owner for nine years, he sold the boat to a billionaire businessman. I showed the man the boat, he liked my knowledge, and offered me a job. Then, we built a 157-foot motor yacht at Trinity Yachts. I oversaw that whole building process and then took delivery for that owner, and worked for him for six years. Then, on that vessel is where I had the fire in the Red Sea delivering it to Dubai for Ramadan. We never made it because we had a fire off the coast of Yemen. I surrounded myself with like-minded people, remained teachable, and to this day I’m still in the center of my industry.

The industry you’re in is still very much a male-dominated one. What are some of the challenges you faced along the way?
Yes, unfortunately it’s still very much a male-dominated industry. I believe that the Bravo network is going to be changing that for us as our viewers see women actually working in this industry. Our TV show is a big part of the change that’s happening in our industry overtime, and you know, it takes time for industries to change, and I would love to see another woman captain on the franchise.

Your book Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm came out earlier this year. Why was it important for you to share your story with aspiring entrepreneurs and future leaders?
I never thought I would write a book in my life, it was all because of the fans. I had so many people tell me they watch the show, and that watching me has helped them become better leaders. Then, they wanted a book. It took two years to write and was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. I created a leadership course, and I’m getting ready to roll it out for women in business, or men. I also wrote about the feedback I received in the past, because I think it’s important for people to see that you can invest in those who are struggling, no matter what walk of life they come from.

How do you balance having fun with your crew and getting down to business?
Well, I am a child at heart when it comes to balancing the time and how I do things on board with my team. I’m very playful and a lot of that doesn’t really go on air, but I have a light heart, and I’m fun. I like to go down the water slide and play with our water toys, and I enjoy it! So, they see that and they understand the fine line. I think it’s in my tone, and my body language. They know we work hard, we play hard, and of course, teamwork makes the dream work.

At this point in your career, how do you practice “being the calm” after you’ve passed a storm?
I saw my entire crew melting down around me during the Red Sea fire and I’ll never forget it. Everyone’s looking at me, my behavior: Am I relaxed? Am I calm? Am I confident? They want to know they’re in good hands, so sometimes I have to talk myself down off of that ledge, defer to my training, follow it, and that’s what I do. I know the minute I start looking like I’m scared,  hungry, angry, tired—they’re going to feel that. If I look confident and like I know what I’m doing, they’re going to feel the confidence in me and they’re going to be able to relax.

Sailing away 🛥️,
Andrea Marie, associate lifestyle editor