Haleigh Gorman, Lara Du Preez (promoted to Lead Deckhand), and Max Salvador [16, 20]. , noted for his local Italian-inspired fare [10, 12]. Memorable Moments & Drama Documentation Scandal:
Ruan Irving entered Season 8 as a relative unknown. Tall, charming, and South African, Ruan looked the part of a leader. However, within the first two charters, his lack of experience became glaringly obvious. He struggled with knot-tying, navigation, and managing the deck team. Captain Sandy lost faith in him almost immediately, leading to one of the fastest firings in Below Deck history. His departure set the stage for the season's true villain/hero arc. Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 8