Below Deck is a popular reality television show which revolves around the life of a yacht crew whilst working at sea.
The show made its debut in 2013 on Bravo, and quickly started to build a large fanbase.
However, as the series has developed over the years, more and more viewers, especially those working within the yacht industry, have suspected it to be scripted and inauthentic.
With the show's emphasis being heavily placed on entertainment and sensationalising certain onboard situations, is the show portraying a truthful look into life working on a superyacht?
In the following chapters, we give our honest insight into what we think is genuine and what is anything but in this nautical themed TV show.
Chapters
- What is Below Deck?
- Are the Crew Genuine Yachties or Actors?
- Is It Scripted or Real?
- Below Deck vs Real Yachting
- Final Verdict
- Get in Touch
What is Below Deck?
At the time of publication, ten seasons of Below Deck, a show about life working aboard superyachts, have been released.
When the owner of a yacht agrees to be part of this series, it is up to the producers to decide who will be on board for the filming.
Other than the captain, first officer, and first engineer, the rest of the crew is carefully selected by the production team.
One might be tempted to assume that the life of a yachtie is pretty much similar to what takes place on this show.
However, the reality is there are numerous differences.
Needless to say, whilst someone is being filmed, it is normal to not be completely realistic or act naturally.
At the end of the day, the main aim of the show is to be as entertaining as possible.
If the show is watched objectively, it is easy to see that certain actions and situations are staged to be more dramatic than they would be under normal conditions.
Are the Crew Genuine Yachties or Actors?
Contrary to popular belief, the crew members who appear on the show are actually people who work in yachting.
The executive producer of Below Deck, Cortland Cox, stated that at first it was hard to find yachties who were willing to join the series.
It was all very new, and so there were not that many who wished to commit to being thrust into the spotlight.
However, after numerous seasons and spin-off shows, the popularity of the programme increased considerably, and there were many more yachties eager to get involved.
Is It Scripted or Real?
Dramatised 'Reality' Show
Many describe Below Deck as a dramatised reality show.
This is because the way the crew members and guests behave is bound to be overly dramatic, since they are aware of the cameras being present at all times.
Despite the fact that the show is not scripted as a normal sitcom or documentary would be, it is still heavily dramatised.
So one cannot really say that it is an accurate depiction of reality.
Even though there is no set script, the production team will engineer situations that often result in conflict, drama, and exaggerated reactions.
The footage is also carefully edited to create a narrative or make situations appear different from reality.
Guests Are Not Actors
One of the main appeals of the show is the wide array of guests, some of whom can be difficult or eccentric.
Considering their personalities, one might assume they are actors, but in truth, they are genuine guests.
The production team does, however, interview and vet potential charter guests, choosing them based on character and how they might behave onboard.
In fact, Patrick Maflin, founder of Marine Accounts, has been invited to appear on the show several times but has declined.
Once guests are chosen, the producers have no control over how they act during filming.
Producers Pick the Crew
The crew members are all selected by the production team, except for the captain, first engineer, and first officer, who remain the same.
They are responsible for maintaining yacht operations while filming takes place.
Show Editing
Editing plays a big role in shaping the final version of the show.
Producers claim that the majority of dramatic moments are unscripted, but there is significant editing to increase entertainment value.
In many cases, the crew have to adjust their plans to accommodate how situations unfold during filming.
Below Deck vs Real Yachting
Image credit: Shutterstock
Entertainment or Documentary?
While Below Deck provides some insight into working at sea aboard a yacht, it is more entertainment than documentary.
There are many differences between real yachting and what is shown on screen.
Charter Season Duration
A typical yacht charter season lasts around six months, but for the show, the "charter season" only lasts about six weeks.
Unrealistic Crew Tips
Given the show's nature, the crew tips are often exaggerated. Although the tip meetings are real, the amounts shown are not accurate, and the tip handoff scenes are staged for filming.
Vessel Names Are Fake
Most yachts featured on the show do not use their real names. Aliases are used to protect the privacy and reputation of the vessels. The only real yacht name used was My Seanna in Season 6.
Final Verdict
All in all, while Below Deck is entertaining, it is not a fully accurate representation of life working on a superyacht.
The production team prioritises drama and viewer engagement, meaning scenes are often exaggerated for entertainment value.
Even though the crew members are real yachties, their behaviour is inevitably influenced by the cameras.
Ultimately, it is a fun and engaging show that brings attention to the superyacht industry, but it should be viewed as entertainment rather than reality.
Get in Touch
If you are curious about getting into the yachting industry, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch with us or share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Disclaimer: Any advice in this publication is not intended or written by Marine Accounts to be used by a client or entity for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party matters herein.
