Below Deck Mediterranean fans recognize Captain Sandy Yawn best behind the helm of a motor yacht. She’s a longtime reality TV star who has participated beyond the series, such as at BravoCon and on Watch What Happens Live many times. She’s also pitched a luxury dinner cruise business.
But Sandy also uses her platform to give back to the community. The captain is now unveiling a program that will expose children to maritime education. The organization will target students across economic thresholds, and provide classes that can turn into a career path.
Captain Sandy wants kids to enjoy maritime education
Captain Sandy’s Charities is a registered nonprofit organization. And the program itself, Steering Towards Success, is already in action across Florida. However, Sandy is hoping to make the STEM-based curriculum available nationwide. Potentially even internationally.
“It’s a fully accredited education program to kind of introduce children in schools to the maritime industry,” Sandy explained during a recent episode of the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast.
Students will be informed on all careers options related to the marine industry. It’s not just the public-facing jobs that are seen on Below Deck. They include welding, carpentry, and electrical work.
“Welders make 20 percent more in a shipyard than they do land-based,” Sandy explained. “A lot of Americans don’t even know these jobs exist because they’re not taught in school.”
The initiative will be partially funded by the sale of charity license plates aimed at the one million plus registered boats in Florida. The Below Deck Med captain shared, “We are powering through selling this license plate to benefit education for the charity in the maritime sector.”
Sandy wants to make maritime careers more inclusive. She wants all kids to have a fair shot in the industry, regardless of their social status.
“This industry is already glamorized—it has the best parties. But it’s also hard work. Every one of us started scrubbing toilets or decks,” the reality TV star stated.
She concluded, “I don’t care what anyone says—every business we’re in, we all serve. You have to have the mental state to go out and serve.”
Bravo fans can catch Sandy again on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10 later in 2025.
Catch Below Deck Mediterranean streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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