The 8 Least Memorable Below Deck Franchise Bosuns, Ranked
Summary Forgettable bosuns on Below Deck faced personal and professional challenges that overshadowed their roles on the show.
Leadership skills and management style are crucial for bosuns on Below Deck, as they navigate high-pressure situations during charter seasons.
Interpersonal conflicts, romantic entanglements, and lack of communication contributed to some bosuns being considered forgettable in the franchise.
Below Deck follows the crew of a luxury yacht during the charter season, and some of the bosuns onboard have been forgettable. As one of the best reality TV shows, Below Deck showcases the challenges and dynamics of working in the high-pressure environment of the yachting industry. One of the critical roles featured on the show is the bosun, short for boatswain. A bosun is a senior crew member responsible for overseeing the deck crew and ensuring that all exterior aspects of the yacht are maintained and operated smoothly.
The bosun typically reports to the first mate or captain and plays a crucial role in the overall operation of the yacht. They are often experienced sailors with a strong understanding of navigation, seamanship, and safety protocols. In Below Deck season 11 and beyond, the bosun is usually a central figure, as their leadership and management skills are tested in handling various challenges that arise during the charter season. However, some bosuns didn't rise to the occasion for different reasons. Who are some of the most forgettable bosuns from the Below Deck franchise?
8 Kelley Johnson
Below Deck Seasons 2 and 4
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Kelley Johnson was a deckhand in Below Deck season 2 and the bosun in season 4. He initially gained attention on the show due to his background as a former Marine. He brought a disciplined and focused work ethic to his role on the yacht. As a deckhand, he demonstrated competence in handling various tasks and showed potential for leadership.
However, during his tenure as a bosun in season 4, Kelley faced challenges that may have contributed to his perception of a forgettable bosun. One notable incident during Kelley Johnson's time as a bosun involved a romantic relationship with Jennice Ontiveros, which led to personal and professional complications on the yacht. This relationship dynamic and other interpersonal conflicts within the crew overshadowed Kelley's performance as a bosun and contributed to the perception that he was forgettable in the role.
7 Aleks Taldykin
Below Deck Seasons 1 and 2
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Aleks Taldykin appeared as a deckhand in season 1 and later returned as a bosun in season 2. Taldykin's time as a bosun was characterized by mixed reviews and various challenges. While Aleks had the opportunity to showcase his leadership skills as a bosun, his tenure on the show didn't leave as lasting an impression as some other cast members. Alek's interactions with other crew members weren't as dramatic as some of his peers.
While Aleks was responsible for overseeing the deck crew and managing the yacht's exterior operations, his performance simply didn't stand out. He had relationships with cast members like Eddie Lucas, Kelley, and Kat Held, but these professional relationships weren't filled with drama. Overall, Aleks was pretty forgettable.
6 Ross McHarg
Below Deck Season 10
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Ross McHarg joined Below Deck season 10 as a bosun, and he encountered trouble during his time on the show. While he worked well with the crew members in his department, his suspicious and flirtatious behavior raised concerns. Despite enjoying working with Ross, Captain Lee Rosbach and Captain Sandy Yawn couldn't overlook the drama he was involved in.
One of Ross's significant storylines in season 10 was his boatmance with deckhand Katie Glaser. Their relationship faced challenges due to Ross's cheating and lack of respect towards Katie. He was flirty with other crew members and women outside the crew, causing tension and drama. Ross's behavior wasn't only noticed by viewers and the show's makeup artist, Samantha Suarez. She accused him of making inappropriate comments towards her during a car ride. Luckily, Ross didn't return for Below Deck season 11 and has become a forgettable bosun.
5 Chandler Brooks
Below Deck Season 6
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Chandler Brooks initially started as the first mate on the yacht, overseeing the deck crew and assisting Captain Lee. However, his performance as first mate was abysmal. Despite the initial challenges, Chandler was later promoted to bosun during the season, replacing Ross Inia. However, his shortcomings continued to affect function onboard, leading to frustration among the crew members.
One of the notable storylines involving Chandler Brooks on Below Deck season 6 was his strained relationship with the crew, particularly with chief stew Kate Chastain. His lack of communication and leadership style created tension and conflict within the crew, impacting their ability to work effectively. After just one season, he's become one of the least memorable bosuns from the show.
4 Paget Berry
Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1
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Paget Berry was the bosun aboard Parsifal III sailing yacht in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 1. One of the main plot points involving Paget on the show was his romantic relationship with fellow crew member Ciara Duggan, who worked as a deckhand. The couple's relationship was a significant focus throughout the season, with their interactions and dynamics often playing out on camera. While Paget and Ciara are no longer together, watching their romance unfold onscreen was somewhat entertaining.
Paget's storyline as a bosun might not have been as dramatic or attention-grabbing as some other cast members on the show. While his relationship with Ciara Duggan was a central focus, there wasn't a lot of drama on which to focus. After his time on the show, he was left as a forgotten, one-season cast member.
3 Lewis Lupton
Below Deck Adventure Season 1
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Lewis Lupton was featured as a bosun on Below Deck Adventure season 1, following the crew of the luxury yacht Mercury as they navigate the challenges of the charter season. Lewis's role as bosun was crucial, but he wasn't a memorable crew member. He hasn't returned to the franchise since the initial season of Below Deck Adventure.
Captain Kerry saw potential in Lewis, but his time on the show was controversial. He was involved in drama involving fellow crew members, including Kyle Dickard. Kyle's unprofessional behavior, including flirting with a stew in front of charter guests and threatening violence, led to his resignation. Lewis's involvement in the drama sparked mixed reactions. Overall, he only appeared in one season and wasn't very memorable.
2 EJ Jansen
Below Deck Season 5
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EJ Jansen appeared as a bosun in season 5. He joined the crew as a temporary replacement for bosun Kelley, who left the boat temporarily to attend to a family emergency. As a temporary bosun, he had big shoes to fill, stepping into a leadership role and managing the deck crew in Kelley's absence. While EJ was up to the task in many ways, he was also forgettable.
One of the most memorable aspects of Jansen's time on the show was his interactions with the rest of the crew, particularly with chief stew Kate. Their dynamic included moments of tension and understanding. Unfortunately, partially due to his short stint as bosun, he wasn't as memorable as other crew members on Below Deck. He only appeared in one season, and Kelley also didn't return.
1 Bryan Kattenburg
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 1
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Bryan Kattenburg's appearance on Below Deck Med stirred controversy and made the show more captivating. Unfortunately, he was forgotten. As the first bosun of the luxurious mega-yacht around the Greek Islands, Kattenburg was introduced as a skilled leader who embraced the "yachtie lifestyle" and prided himself on getting along with everyone.
However, his clashes with crew members, including Jen Riservato, who openly expressed her dislike for him, painted a different picture. Fans criticized Bryan, accusing him of sexism, arrogance, and aggressiveness toward his crew. Despite acknowledging that reality TV often amplifies drama, Bryan admitted to being portrayed as the bad guy. Luckily, Bryan has been largely forgotten since his time in the Below Deck franchise.

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