Captain Jason Chambers’ performance in Below Deck Down Under season 3 has been disappointing, but Bravo’s hint about changes in season 4 restored my hope that he’ll turn things around. Captain Jason was once one of the Below Deck franchise’s most reliable and levelheaded leaders. However, he appears withdrawn and distracted in season 3. Captain Jason’s standoffish leadership allowed his crew to spiral out of control, and he was hesitant to intervene despite the pleas of his department heads.

Fortunately, Below Deck Down Under is headed for an overhaul in season 4. Filming for the season was confirmed by the network and is currently underway, with Captain Jason returning for his fourth year. ing Jason are Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, who previously spent four seasons on Below Deck Sailing Yacht, as well as Chef Ben Robinson of Below Deck and Below Deck Mediterranean. I think this is a brilliant pairing that will allow Captain Jason to once again shine, restoring him to the glory of his first two seasons.

Captain Jason Lacks Connection With The Season 3 Cast

He Hasn’t Found His Footing After Aesha’s Departure

Captain Jason’s biggest asset in Below Deck Down Under’s first two seasons was his comradery with Chief Stew Aesha Scott. Aesha is a lively personality whose cheer is infectious, and she brings out Captain Jason’s fun side. Furthermore, the captain placed a great deal of trust in Aesha, allowing him to focus on larger issues on the yacht without micromanaging.

Unfortunately, Aesha departed after season 2, and Captain Jason hasn’t formed close relationships with any of the new cast. While Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph is familiar to Jason, having previously worked with him in Below Deck Down Under season 2, her sensitivity to forces the captain to walk on eggshells around her. Meanwhile, Chief Stew Lara Rigby is stern and inflexible, the polar opposite of Aesha. Without casual, peer-like relationships on board, Captain Jason is strictly in a leadership role, which contributes to his detached appearance.

Captain Jason Allowed Wihan’s Bad Behavior For Far Too Long

His Leadership Has Been Unimpressive In Below Deck Down Under Season 3

Captain Jason faced criticism for his handling of Bosun Wihan Du Toit, whose actions in Below Deck Down Under season 3 derailed the exterior team and pitted the department heads against each other. Wihan exhibited growing incompetence, often putting more effort into his romantic pursuits than managing his team. When Wihan’s feuds with Lara and Tzarina were brought to Captain Jason’s attention, he advised them to work through their issues on their own.

Without Jason’s guidance, Wihan continued to wreak havoc. Jason didn’t take action until more than halfway through the season, at which point the entire crew was exasperated with Wihan. Although Wihan was fired, many viewers thought Captain Jason’s intervention was too little, too late.

Jason seems frustrated that his team can’t manage their conflicts without his involvement, which tells me he would benefit from department heads with proven success in conflict resolution.

Captain Jason has always been direct in his management, and he usually doesn’t hesitate to fire a crew member who’s causing widespread destruction. His hands-off approach to the complaints about Wihan hinted at the captain’s growing unwillingness to intervene in management issues. Jason seems frustrated that his team can’t manage their conflicts without his involvement, which tells me he would benefit from department heads with proven success in conflict resolution.

Daisy And Ben Have Experience With The Franchise

They Know How To Manage Their Departments

I’m convinced Captain Jason’s leadership issues will be resolved by Below Deck Down Under’s season 4 casting update. Daisy and Ben are among the most experienced Below Deck alums. Their history with the franchise gives me confidence that they can handle the unique demands of their high-stress jobs while filming.

Captain Jason needs department heads he can trust, much like he had with Aesha.

It was a smart choice for producers to bring back seasoned veterans to help Jason recover from the chaos of season 3. The three have never worked together before, which means there will still be plenty of drama to keep things exciting, but they’ve all proven their competence in their respective roles.

Captain Jason Needs To Be Surrounded By Vibrant Personalities

Daisy And Ben Will Bring Good Energy To Below Deck Down Under

While Captain Jason’s energy has been low in Below Deck Down Under season 3, past seasons prove he can be adventurous and fun in the right circumstances. He thrived when working alongside Aesha, and I believe Daisy and Ben will also bring out the best in the captain. Daisy is unabashedly honest, while Ben’s humor makes even the most chaotic situations amusing. The two personalities will create the perfect environment to pull Captain Jason back out of his shell.

The Below Deck Down Under season 3 cast hasn’t given Captain Jason much to work with, which makes me even more excited to see how things play out in season 4. The captain needed a suitable replacement for Aesha, and Lara wasn’t it. With Daisy and Ben on board, Captain Jason will have the opportunity to show off his playful side, which has been missed in season 3.

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.

Source: Bravo/Instagram