How old is Captain Sandy from Below Deck Mediterranean? Job, Instagram, and more explored

As Below Deck Mediterranean returns for its season 9, viewers can expect new high-stakes adventures. The newest episodes, available the next day on Peacock, promise breathtaking scenery and compelling interpersonal dynamics.

One of the show's pivotal figures is Captain Sandy Yawn. If you're curious about how old she is, we have a straightforward answer: Captain Sandy Yawn was born on February 23, 1964, making her 59 years old as of now.

This season, the crew faces unprecedented challenges, from handling demanding guests and navigating unexpected weather to managing internal conflicts.

New team members bring fresh dynamics, testing Captain Sandy’s leadership and ability to maintain harmony on board.

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Everything we know about Captain Sandy from Below Deck Mediterranean

Early life and career achievements

Captain Sandy Yawn was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She attended high school in Brandon and pursued marine training at the Maritime Professional Training Institute in Fort Lauderdale, equipping herself with essential maritime skills and knowledge.

Over her career spanning more than three decades, Yawn has received numerous accolades, including the International Superyacht Society's Distinguished Crew Award in 2006 for her bravery during a fire and pirate threat off the coast of Yemen.

Yawn's leadership qualities, integrity, and courage have established her as a respected superyacht captain within the maritime community.

These traits led to her participation in reality television in 2015 when she joined the cast of Bravo’s series Below Deck Mediterranean for its second season. Since then, she has led the crew through charter seasons in locations including Greece, Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain. She often shares glimpses from her life on board on her Instagram account, @captainsandrayawn.

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Personal journey

Throughout her time on Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Sandy has been open about her struggles and triumphs. She has publicly discussed her journey to sobriety, revealing that she battled alcoholism before deciding to get sober.

She celebrated 33 years of sobriety in August 2021, marking a significant milestone in her life.

Captain Sandy has been in a relationship with gospel singer Leah Shafer since May 2019. The couple met in 2018 when Shafer reached out to Sandy on social media concerning her Bravo series.

Their relationship progressed, and Shafer visited Sandy and her crew during their time in Athens, Greece, where the upcoming season takes place.

In a heartfelt moment, the season 9 trailer of Below Deck Mediterranean captured Sandy proposing to Leah. Yawn got down on one knee and asked the pivotal question, to which Shafer said "YESSSSS," as Sandy shared on her Instagram page in September 2023.

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Representation and marriage

In an interview with TODAY.com, Captain Sandy explained her reasons for showcasing her relationship with Leah on television. She expressed hopes that their story serves as a positive example and provides visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.

Sandy highlighted the importance of showing that professional women, including those in same-sex relationships, can lead fulfilling lives. Sandy stated:

“That’s exactly why, because I think it’s important that people see that professional women can — same-sex, right — have a great life, and these preconceived ideas really are not accurate,...We wanted to show that — I did. Not really Leah — like, that wasn’t a thing for her — but for me it was, I think because I’m on TV.”

Captain Sandy Yawn and Leah Shafer married on May 11. The ceremony took place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, aboard a superyacht, reinforcing their maritime connections.

The event was attended by several notable figures from the Below Deck franchise, including Kate Chastain, "Med" chief stew Aesha Scott, and former "Med" chef Dave White.

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Don't miss a single moment of luxury, drama, and adventure on the high seas! Tune in to Bravo every Monday at 9 pm ET/PT to catch all-new episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9. New episodes air the next day on Peacock.