“I witnessed her leadership”: Leah Shafer praises Captain Sandy Yawn’s proposal during Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 finale

Bravo's reality TV series Below Deck Mediterranean concluded season 9 on September 23, 2024. The season ended on a high note as Captain Sandy Yawn got engaged to her partner Leah Shafer.

Sandy had planned an elaborate proposal with her deckhand, Joe Bradley, on the season finale of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9. However, the weather conditions left Joe wondering if he had ruined the captain's plan, especially after the boat got entangled in the props. The captain was unfazed and managed to get things under control, helping Joe figure out a way to detangle the boat.

After the engagement was announced, Leah Shafer spoke to Entertainment Weekly about her experience and how her partner handled a complicated situation. She told the publication that she got to see Sandy's "leadership" in how she helped Joe.

"Sandy was so great, and this is where I witnessed her leadership," Leah said during her interview.

Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo TV show that has been airing on the channel since 2016. It documents the experiences and dynamics of the crew who live and work on luxurious superyachts during charter season. The series takes a closer look at the personal and professional lives of crew members.

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What happened to Captain Sandy Yawn’s proposal during the Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 finale

Leah and Sandy began dating in 2019 when Leah, a fan of Below Deck, congratulated Sandy about the show on social media. Soon after, Leah and Sandy met, leading to them starting a relationship. The relationship was documented on the show, which also gave fans a glimpse of their May wedding. Several other Below Deck cast members were in attendance at the wedding.

During the season finale of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, viewers saw one of the most heartwarming moments of the series, which started off as a near-disaster.

Captain Sandy Yawn had planned an intricate proposal with Joe Bradley's help. He was set to bring the couple to a romantic beachside setting for a sunset proposal. However, the weather caused some complications, and as Joe tried to maneuver the tender boat to the beach, its lines became entangled, causing the deckhand to panic.

“This is a massive f--- up. My God, have I just ruined captain's day?" Joe said.

Captain Sandy stepped in to manage the situation and helped Joe detangle the boat while she stayed calm under the pressure. Shafer recounted the incident and said that Sandy was "great." She noted that while she has heard and seen her partner's compassion on the show, she "truly witnessed" it before the proposal.

Despite the initial hiccup, Sandy helped untangle the boat’s lines, and Leah later described how Sandy’s approach impressed her. She noted how Sandy guided and taught Joe what to do, without making him feel ridiculous.

This unexpected challenge greatly contributed to the moment's success in the Below Deck Mediterranean season finale. Reflecting on the events, Sandy added that they had planned the proposal weeks in advance when it was calm, adding that they hadn't expected the wind.

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The surprise proposal

Captain Sandy Yawn and Leah Shafer (Image via Bravo)

Once they reached the beach, Leah realized that it wasn't just a date and saw that the crew members were all excited. She particularly noticed Chief Stew Aesha Scott, who was crying while looking excited. Leah recalled looking at Aesha and asking her what was going on.

The suspense culminated when Leah noticed Sandy fumbling in her pocket for the engagement ring and wondered what was happening. Once Sandy found the ring and proposed, the moment was filled with pure joy and emotion, capturing a heartfelt experience on the Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 finale.

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Behind the scenes & beyond

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on September 23, 2024, Captain Sandy revealed her excitement about sharing the special moment with fans. The Below Deck Mediterranean cast member said that it was a "pretty special" episode as fans rarely see her [get] "emotional on the show."

“You never see me emotional on the show [except] maybe a few times with the crew,...When you're on TV you think, ‘Oh my God, just don't lose it.’”

Sandy also reflected on her decision to include the proposal on the show. She spoke about her discussions with showrunner Nadine Rajabi and their agreement that the show was the reason she and Leah met.

Sandy expressed her hope for Leah to make more appearances on Below Deck Mediterranean. She indicated that Leah’s ease with filming might pave the way for further shared adventures on screen. Sandy commented that they were "happy and in love." She added that Leah wasn't "afraid of the camera," as she respected the fourth wall and had "been there, done that."

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For more episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean, tune in to Bravo, with episodes available to stream on Peacock.