Hannah Ferrier, the former chief stew of Bravo’s hit series Below Deck Mediterranean, recently offered insights into her brief return to the show for its eleventh season and addressed the likelihood of a full-time comeback. Following a six-year hiatus from the series, Ferrier’s appearance generated significant fan interest, but her reflections suggest a permanent return to the demanding world of luxury yachting, particularly in the reality television format, remains improbable due to shifts in the industry and her personal life.
Ferrier’s history with Below Deck Mediterranean is well-documented. She was a foundational cast member, serving as chief stew for five seasons and becoming one of the franchise’s most recognizable and often controversial figures. Her tenure was marked by dramatic charter seasons, intense crew dynamics, and a candid portrayal of the pressures of her role. Her departure in Season 5 was particularly contentious, involving a dispute over undeclared medication, which ultimately led to her termination by Captain Sandy Yawn. This incident sparked considerable debate among viewers and within the yachting community, highlighting the strict regulations governing crew conduct.
Since her exit from Below Deck Mediterranean, Ferrier has transitioned away from full-time yachting. She married Josh Roberts and welcomed their daughter, Ava Grace, embracing motherhood and building a life in Sydney, Australia. Her post-show career has included podcasting, authoring a book on yachting, and engaging in various media projects, demonstrating her continued connection to the entertainment industry and her loyal fanbase. Her recent cameo in Season 11, therefore, represented a significant moment for long-time viewers, offering a glimpse of her back in the familiar Bravo universe.
A Cameo, Not a Comeback: Ferrier’s Experience
Ferrier’s recent appearance on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 involved attending a bachelorette party for current chief stew Aesha Scott, alongside her close friend and fellow Below Deck Med alum, Anastasia Surmava. She described the experience as "so much fun," emphasizing the stark difference between a brief guest spot and the rigors of filming an entire season.
"I was with Anastasia, who’s a really good friend of mine, and the next day after Aesha Scott’s bachelorette, we were lying on sun loungers at a beach club with a bottle of Whispering Angel. We’re like, ‘This is the way to do it, actually.’ Don’t go film for the whole season and run ragged. Can’t I just make a little cameo every year?" Ferrier exclusively told OK! on September 14 at the "Spill the Tea at Sea" event with City Cruises NYC. This sentiment underscores her preference for a less demanding involvement with the show, one that allows her to enjoy the social aspects without the exhaustive commitment required of a full-time cast member.
The Evolving Landscape of Yachting
A key factor influencing Ferrier’s perspective on returning to the show, and indeed to the yachting industry itself, is her observation that "yachting has changed." She drew a sharp contrast between the individuals who entered the profession in her early days and the new generation of yachties.
"Yachting has changed. I was just in Mexico with some friends who I worked on yachts with 16 years ago, and there’s this new generation who have learned about yachting from the TV show," Ferrier explained. She characterized her own generation of yacht crew as "crazy ADHD, traumatized people running away from something," suggesting a past where the profession attracted individuals seeking escape or adventure from unconventional backgrounds. In contrast, she noted, the current influx of new recruits often states, "’Oh my God, I saw it on Below Deck. Now I want to do it.’" This shift, she believes, has created "different beasts now" within the industry, implying a potentially altered work ethic, expectations, and motivations among modern yacht crew members. The massive success of the Below Deck franchise has undeniably popularized the idea of working on superyachts, transforming it from a niche career path into a widely recognized and aspirational profession for some.
The Demands of Full-Time Charter Life
For Ferrier, the physical and mental toll of a full season on a superyacht is a significant deterrent to a permanent return. She candidly discussed the grueling schedule and challenging living conditions inherent to the job, particularly within the reality TV environment.
"Well, I always say, for me now it doesn’t really make sense, but you never know. It’s one of those things. I do have a Sydney mortgage, but I also don’t know what my body would do," Ferrier remarked. She elaborated on the physical demands, recalling "18 hours a day on your feet, sleeping in those tiny bunks, dealing with all those people." Her current lifestyle, which includes the luxury of a king-sized bed and the occasional desire for solitude, starkly contrasts with the cramped quarters and constant interaction of yacht life. "I kick my husband out of bed sometimes because I want the whole bed to myself, and that’s like a king. So I don’t know how I’d go," she quipped. Furthermore, she noted a generational gap, observing, "25-year-olds now are really different to 25-year-olds 15 years ago," implying a potential mismatch in energy levels and expectations with younger crew members. These practical considerations, coupled with her family responsibilities, weigh heavily on her decision-making.
Gratitude and Post-Show Opportunities
Despite the controversial nature of her departure, Hannah Ferrier holds no regrets about her time on Below Deck Mediterranean. She views the experience as a pivotal moment that reshaped her life and opened numerous doors.
"It’s so funny because of the way things ended, sometimes people are like, ‘Oh, do you regret it?’ And I’m like, ‘No. How can I regret something that, firstly, opened all these doors for me and gave me so many opportunities?’" she asserted. Ferrier emphasized that the show provided her with an invaluable platform, allowing her to forge a career path that aligns with her current priorities, particularly her role as a mother. "It’s also really allowed me to be a mother when I’m home," she stated, highlighting the flexibility and autonomy her post-show career affords her. She clarified that a traditional stay-at-home role wouldn’t suit her ambitious nature. "I don’t think I’d be a very good stay-at-home wife. I just don’t feel like that would be enough for me." Instead, she relishes the ability to "work and not have a boss, and be creative, but do things that I want to do." This rare opportunity allows her to be highly present in her daughter’s life. "If I get a call from the school and she’s sick, we’re in our pajamas watching Disney movies in like nine minutes. And I don’t have to explain it to anyone or answer to anyone." For Ferrier, the ability to prioritize her family without sacrificing her professional drive is the most significant and unexpected gift from her Below Deck journey.
Maintaining Connections and New Ventures
While a full-time return to Below Deck Mediterranean seems unlikely, Ferrier remains connected to the Bravo universe and many of her former colleagues. She maintains friendships with Aesha Scott, Anastasia Surmava, and Julia d’Albert, who was her second stew in Season 1.
"I just feel like we had a new crew every season, and I’ve got a big friend group in Sydney. So I’m not trying to get like eight new friends every year I film," she explained, acknowledging the difficulty of forming deep, lasting bonds with constantly rotating cast members. She also pointed out the geographical challenges, noting, "Everyone’s all over the world," making regular meet-ups complicated. In the meantime, Ferrier has channeled her reality TV fame into new ventures, including a partnership with City Cruises NYC for "Spill the Tea at Sea" events, where she hosts discussions with other Bravo personalities. Recent guests have included Austen Kroll, and she has also socialized with housewives like Alexia Nepola, Meredith Marks, and Dorinda Medley. She humorously recounted taking Meredith Marks to the zoo with her daughter, observing, "that woman has stamina — even at the zoo, her heels are so big."
Fan Engagement and Personal Impact
Ferrier cherishes the interactions she has with fans at these events, often finding profound meaning in their shared experiences. She recounted heartwarming stories of viewers who have used Below Deck Mediterranean as a form of escapism during difficult times, such as illness or the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Last week when we were in Chicago, someone was like, unfortunately, their father was on dialysis and passing away. And I did a little video for him, and she’s like, ‘No, you don’t understand. He just watches the show and escapes into it.’ So I always find that a lot of people during COVID, and then when they’ve been sick, have really used the show as escapism," Ferrier shared. Another powerful aspect of fan interaction involves viewers connecting with her public struggles with anxiety. "The other one is when people say to me that they’ve been made to feel better about their own anxiety by watching the show. Because I feel like sometimes when you’re just in your head, you can think that you’re just going crazy. And they’re like, ‘When we see somebody who’s out there and working on yachts and doing shows and all of that, who still suffers with crazy anxiety, it makes me feel like I’m more of a human.’ So I love that." These genuine connections highlight the unexpected and far-reaching impact of reality television beyond entertainment.
Ferrier expressed immense satisfaction with her current role, particularly with the "Spill the Tea at Sea" events. "I think it’s genuinely just such a fun event. We always have so much fun, so many giggles. This is my last one, so Ronnie [Karam], who does Watch What Crappens, which is a podcast, is hosting the last of these events, but he’s just so funny." She feels "very spoiled that I can call it work, but then literally get my friends involved and spend the whole night laughing. With a glass of champagne — who gets paid to do that? I’m very blessed," she concluded, underscoring her contentment with a career that combines social engagement, creativity, and personal fulfillment, far removed from the high-stakes environment of Below Deck Mediterranean.
While Hannah Ferrier’s recent cameo provided a nostalgic moment for Below Deck Mediterranean fans, her current priorities and observations about the evolving yachting industry indicate that her days as a full-time reality TV chief stew are likely behind her. Her focus remains on her family, her flexible career, and meaningful fan engagement, all of which she attributes to the opportunities afforded by her past on the hit Bravo series.
