It’s a matter of some debate whether the series of events leading up to Tom Checketts working on the same yacht as his then girlfriend Malia White were circumstantial or premeditated. Both Tom and Malia worked in the industry and hadn’t seen each other in some time. Tom just happened to be available when Captain Sandy Yawn fired Kiko Lorran, and was her first choice in replacing gentle Kiko, who was fired in the middle of dinner service and generally humiliated.
But as it turned out, just having Tom on board wasn’t enough. Malia wanted to switch cabins and put two warring egos into one confined space. When Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier refused to room with Bugsy Drake, Malia reported Hannah’s valium and CBD pen to Captain Sandy, though she had prior knowledge of these items. Sandy fired Hannah, promoted Bugsy, and Malia got easy access to Tom. Sandy even announced the new bunking arrangement over the radio.
