Captain Lee on returning to Below Deck and his fallout with Captain Sandy

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Captain Lee Rosbach has been a staple on our TV screens since the first season of Bravo's Below Deck, where he earned his reputation for keeping order aboard the superyacht Honor.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and salty one-liners, Rosbach—affectionately dubbed the "Stud of the Sea"—has become a fan favorite over the past decade, expertly navigating both endless crew drama and challenging guests, particularly the unforgettable Delores Flora.

However, Rosbach's time at sea hasn’t been without personal challenges. Last year, viewers saw the seasoned captain struggle with mobility issues following back surgery before season 10.

Despite his best efforts to maneuver around the superyacht on crutches, his nerve condition worsened, ultimately forcing him to step away from the Bravo series to seek medical treatment.

Though he assured The Standard he's “doing just fine” now, his departure from the superyacht St. David had significant repercussions for the Below Deck franchise. To fill the void, Rosbach called in Captain Sandy Yawn from Below Deck Med to take the helm, marking the first-ever captain crossover in the show’s history.

However, their working relationship hit a snag when Lee publicly questioned Yawn’s leadership, criticizing her for not informing him about the firing of stew Camille Lamb after her exit aired in January 2023. Yawn appeared to respond to Rosbach’s critique with a cryptic social media post and later stirred more speculation by not inviting him to her wedding to longtime partner Leah Shafer in May.

Has their feud gone past the point of repair? It appears so. He told The Standard that there’s no chance of them mending their friendship, quipping: “You'd probably spend a better chance of seeing God twice in the next 30 seconds than that happening.”

When asked if he could see a way back, the Bravo star said frankly: “No, I don't. I did an interview, and they asked me, point blank, ‘Do you like Captain Sandy?’ And I said, ‘Well, you asked a question, so I'll give you the honest answer. No, it's that simple.’

“I know you asked the question,” he continued. “You want an honest answer? I gave it to you.

“I don't feel the need to explain. You know why I don't, or go into anything in great detail, but let's just say my wedding invitation got lost in the mail.”

Though there’s no love lost between Rosbach and his former colleague, the 74-year-old admitted he misses his time on the Below Deck seas. During his recovery, Rosbach was replaced by fellow Below Deck star Captain Kerry Titheradge for the latest installment.

While Rosbach confessed he didn’t keep tabs on season 11, he does miss being in the midst of the action. “I do miss it,” he shared. “I miss the traveling. I miss the challenges. And there’s certainly no lack of challenges on board, each one unique and different. So, yeah, I do miss it.”

Despite Titheradge’s no-nonsense approach, which echoes that of his predecessor, fans are eager for Captain Lee to return to the helm. The question now is, has production reached out to him about making a comeback? “No one has spoken to me about it, and if they would, I would tell you, because that's why they don't tell me anything,” he admitted.

“I just can't keep it to myself.”

While a return to the Below Deck seas is up in the air, he’s kept himself busy with new ventures. He now fronts a true crime series, Deadly Waters With Captain Lee, on Hayu, and hosts a pop culture podcast called Salty with Captain Lee.

Staying true to his no-nonsense style, Rosbach’s candid opinions on his podcast have sparked controversy, but he remains unapologetic, even when it lands him in hot water—like his recent fallout with former friend and Summer House star Carl Radke after his split from Lindsay Hubbard.

In June, Rosbach revealed on his podcast that he had a major falling out with Radke following an episode recording last November. The episode never aired after Radke accused Rosbach of "trying to take advantage of him," leading to a significant rift between the two Bravo stars.

“Sometimes some of the things I say aren't so flattering, but they're the truth,” he said of not being afraid to share his opinions on the podcast. “And I sometimes refer to myself as just an old truth teller.

“And if you can't handle it, well, I don't know, maybe you should find another profession where your life isn't quite so public, because this is what you signed on for. This is what I signed on for.

“And unfortunately, they don't give you a manual on how to deal with everything that happens to you once you become a celebrity of sorts,” Lee continued. “And there's no you know, if this happens to you, turn to page 42 paragraph six, and you'll find the answer there. No, you don't get that.

“So, I'm very outspoken on Salty, and I've had some embarrassing moments on Salty as well. But that's okay, that's what it's for. If you're gonna, if you're gonna sit there and dish it out, you should be able to take a few licks yourself.”

Beyond his hot pop culture takes and true crime explorations, Rosbach is gearing up to make his first-ever trip to the UK, where British fans will have the chance to hear his tales from the high seas.

The TV captain is set to host an eight-date tour of intimate “Evenings With” events, where he’ll engage with fans, share personal stories, sip cocktails, and dish out behind-the-scenes reality TV gossip in his new one-man show, Nightcap.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “There'll be a lot of crowd interaction and plenty of stories, including some new ones I haven’t told yet. So, I'm really excited.”

The tour kicks off in Glasgow on October 8 and wraps up in Wolverhampton on October 17, with a special appearance in London on Wednesday, October 9, at indigo at The O2. Tickets are available now.

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