*Trigger warning*
On Monday 7 August, viewers of Below Deck Down Under were left shocked after they witnessed two of the cast members attempting to carry out unwanted sexual advances on two other crewmembers. Fortunately, the production team were quick to act and stop Luke Jones (bosun - also known as the 'deck boss') and second stewardess Laura Bileskalne from following through with the actions. Both of which could have evolved into potential sexual assault.
Following the incidents, the yacht's captain, Jason Chambers, fired them both for sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour, and the cast and production team have since been praised for the swift and efficient way they handled the triggering situations.
YouTube/Bravo//YouTube
Both events took place on the latest episode of season two of the Australian Bravo reality series, which began - like plenty of other eps - with the yacht crew heading back to the boat they work on after a night out.
While in the taxi on the way back, Luke said to stew Margot Sisson: "You should come and cuddle with me," which she declined. Upon returning, he stripped to his boxers and went into Margot's room to ask her to join him in the jacuzzi. Again, she said no. Margot then clearly stated that she was intoxicated and told Chief stewardess, Aesha Scott that "all [she] want[ed] is water and bed." In the taxi, Aesha also told deckhand Culver Bradbury that she was going to "watch" and "chaperone" Margot, which she did until the boat experienced a power outage and so headed to the crew mess.
YouTube/Bravo//YouTube
YouTube/Bravo//YouTube
During this time, Luke returned to Margot's room while she was sleeping wearing just a towel, before climbing into her bunk. Camera and production were obviously aware and immediately stepped in to instruct Luke to leave. While getting out of bed, they realised he was naked, and Luke then attempted to shut the door on the crew.
The cameraman intervened again and stopped Luke from closing the door entirely. After causing a ruckus, he eventually returned to his own cabin while telling the team to "f***k off."
Laura followed Luke to find out what happened (and he has denied any wrongdoing). Afterwards, Aesha went back to check on Margot and told her that Luke had been in her bed. Margot then told the chief stew that she "did not invite that at all."
This led to Aesha revealing the unsettling events to the Captain. After completing a welfare check on Margot, he told Luke that he needed to leave the boat and would be staying in a hotel. He was then fired the next day.
Later on in the episode, the rest of the crewmembers reflected on the previous night's events and tried to come to terms with what had happened. However, Laura seemed pretty unconcerned and dismissive about the whole thing and appeared to side with Luke. She said she thought him being fired was "unfair" and he "meant it as a joke".
YouTube/Bravo//YouTube
Laura's own inappropriate actions were also highlighted during the same episode, too. Scenes showed her touching fellow cast member Adam Kodra, even after he repeatedly asked her to stop. Like Luke, she followed Adam back to his cabin and attempted to give him a massage to which he - again - said "no". Thankfully, the production team were on hand for a second time to diffuse the situation and remove her from his room.
Captain Jason Chambers was also informed of Laura's advances and then went on to fire her as well.
Following the airing of the episode, plenty of viewers took to social media to thank the entire Below Deck team for their quick thinking and immediate action.
"Relieved and grateful that both Chief Stew Aesha Scott and Captain Jason Chambers acted prudently, swiftly and humanely on Below Deck Down Under. In a sea of recent criticism for reality television, sometimes there are genuine heroes in our midst as well," one person said.
Others labelled the episode as "infuriating, heartbreaking but also heart warming," with "good people coming together to support Margot."
Further fans also warned viewers of the triggering scenes featured in the episode."If you’re watching Below Deck Down Under, be warned; episode 6 and 7’s content is sexual assault/misconduct heavy. They’re good episodes and the reaction is good, but it’s heavy and confronting," someone penned.
For support or more information about sexual assault, visit the Survivors Trust. For additional support with mental health, visit Mind.
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Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.
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