Superyacht captain Sandy Yawn is a leading cast member on Bravo’s spinoff show, Below Deck Mediterranean. She has been sailing across the seas for more than three decades, conquering many stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. As of 2023, Captain Sandy Yawn has a net worth of $400,000.
Early Life
Sandy was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 23, 1965, This coastal city got her to love the ocean and water activities at a young age. At 13 years-old, she started cleaning boats for a part-time job.
Her parents got divorced, so she was raised by her mother and stepfather, who were in the hunting and meat business. Because of this, Sandy also got some experience with butchery. But ultimately, she chose her passion and pursued a career in sailing.
She didn’t like her first crew captain and believed that she would be a better leader. In 1994, Sandy Yawn earned her captain’s license at the Maritime Professional Training Institute.
Career Beginnings
Before becoming an official captain, the Florida native worked as a crew member for over ten years. Once she got her license, she was hired to be the captain of White Star, a boat that sailed Europe.
In 2004, she headed her first yacht, Tuscan Sun. This made her one of the few female captains in the yachting industry and an inspiration to many women in the world. After four years, she left the Tuscan Sun to be the captain of Pure Bliss. By this time, she was already an established sailor.
Reality TV
Bravo made a hit reality show titled Below Deck, documenting the lives of yacht crew members. Due to shows success that produced a spinoff series and that’s how Below Deck Mediterranean was born.
When its second season aired in 2014, Yawn was chosen to be the captain of Sirocco. She replaced the previous captain, Mark Howard, and became one of the most respected figures in the series.
Captain Sandy became known as a wonderful mentor to her subordinates. Plus, she takes a very active role in delivering top-notch service and stays informed about everything that is happening on board. Others might see this micro-managing her staff!
Net Worth and Earnings
After joining Below Deck Mediterranean in season two, Sandy has never left. She turned into a fan favorite, and this is why she’s one of the highest-paid cast members in the entire franchise.
Below Deck captains earn around $120,000 to $150,000 per season. More experienced captains like Lee Rosbach can earn up to $210,000. They also get massive tips from big-time clients from time to time. This is why Yawn is expected to have a net worth of $400,000.
Personal Life
The lady boss is a lesbian and in a relationship with Leah Shafer. The couple first met on Facebook. Not long after starting a relationship, Sandy moved in with Leah in Denver, Colorado.
In 2021, the captain experienced a heart attack, specifically a spontaneous coronary artery dissection. She was also diagnosed with kidney cancer after a motorcycle accident in the past. Despite these setbacks, Sandy is now living a healthy life.
