# C a p t a i n S a n d y Y a w n ## Superyacht Captain - Why I'm... I’m a huge Bravo fan… _huge_. But, there was one show that I wasn’t giving a fair shot to that I finally came around to watching— [_Below Deck Mediterranean_](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/below-deck-mediterranean). In the latest season, I couldn’t help but be enthralled by [Captain Sandy Yawn](https://www.instagram.com/captainsandrayawn/) (she/her). Her poise and professionalism while managing a crew on, well, a giant boat is mesmerizing. I thought to myself, “How on earth does she remain so chill?” A lesson that as an overthinker I’ve been quite desperate to learn. I had the chance to speak with her about her career, her book on leadership, and how she practices “being the calm” despite having a challenge right in your face. **How did you get started as a superyacht captain?** After getting kicked out of the 11th grade, I joined the maritime industry because a high school diploma wasn’t required. Then, a yacht owner invested in me, paid for my schooling, and I found myself working for him for nine years, and advancing my career. After working for that owner for nine years, he sold the boat to a billionaire businessman. I showed the man the boat, he liked my knowledge, and offered me a job. Then, we built a 157-foot motor yacht at Trinity Yachts. I oversaw that whole building process and then took delivery for that owner, and worked for him for six years. Then, on that vessel is where I had the [fire in the Red Sea](https://oceannavigator.com/captain-honored-for-handling-red-sea-emergency/) delivering it to Dubai for Ramadan. We never made it because we had a fire off the coast of Yemen. I surrounded myself with like-minded people, remained teachable, and to this day I’m still in the center of my industry. **The industry you’re in is still very much a male-dominated one. What are some of the challenges you faced along the way?** Yes, unfortunately it’s still very much a male-dominated industry. I believe that the Bravo network is going to be changing that for us as our viewers see women actually working in this industry. Our TV show is a big part of the change that’s happening in our industry overtime, and you know, it takes time for industries to change, and I would love to see another woman captain on the franchise. **Your book** [**_Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm_**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/140196768X?tag=newsettenl-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) **came out earlier this year. Why was it important for you to share your story with aspiring entrepreneurs and future leaders?** I never thought I would write a book in my life, it was all because of the fans. I had so many people tell me they watch the show, and that watching me has helped them become better leaders. Then, they wanted a book. It took two years to write and was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life. I created a leadership course, and I’m getting ready to roll it out for women in business, or men. I also wrote about the feedback I received in the past, because I think it’s important for people to see that you can invest in those who are struggling, no matter what walk of life they come from. **How do you balance having fun with your crew and getting down to business?** Well, I am a child at heart when it comes to balancing the time and how I do things on board with my team. I’m very playful and a lot of that doesn’t really go on air, but I have a light heart, and I’m fun. I like to go down the water slide and play with our water toys, and I enjoy it! So, they see that and they understand the fine line. I think it’s in my tone, and my body language. They know we work hard, we play hard, and of course, teamwork makes the dream work. **At this point in your career, how do you practice “being the calm” after you’ve passed a storm?** I saw my entire crew melting down around me during the Red Sea fire and I’ll never forget it. Everyone’s looking at me, my behavior: Am I relaxed? Am I calm? Am I confident? They want to know they’re in good hands, so sometimes I have to talk myself down off of that ledge, defer to my training, follow it, and that’s what I do. I know the minute I start looking like I’m scared, hungry, angry, tired—they’re going to feel that. If I look confident and like I know what I’m doing, they’re going to feel the confidence in me and they’re going to be able to relax. Sailing away 🛥️, [_Andrea Marie, associate lifestyle editor_](https://www.instagram.com/drea.nav/?hl=en)