Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Will Gary King Become The Spinoff's New Captain & Take Over From Captain Glenn?

It's possible that controversial Below Deck Sailing Yacht First Officer Gary King could become captain and take the position on the show away from Captain Glenn Shephard. Captain Glenn has been the figurehead of Below Deck Sailing Yacht since it premiered in February 2020, and season 5 is currently airing. Gary started out as the Bosun in BDSY season 2, and he has been in every season since, working his way up to First Officer. Captain Glenn has been in yachting for over 22 years.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is the third spinoff under the Below Deck umbrella, and sets itself apart by focusing on the aspects of superyacht sailing with the vessel Parsifal III, rather than a motor superyacht. BDSY has always taken place within the Mediterranean region. Daisy Kelliher is also a staple of the spinoff. She started as Chief Stew in season 2 as a department head alongside Gary. Gary has an ambition to stay in the Below Deck franchise, and has his sights set on being a captain, a role he could take from Captain Glenn.

The Below Deck Franchise Wants To Keep Gary Despite Controversy

Gary Can Do No Wrong In The Bravo Network

Bravolebrity Gary has been mired in controversy both on and off screen since his season 2 debut. Gary is known to be a playboy, heavy drinker, rule bender, and pot stirrer during the seasons. Off camera, he was involved in a sexual misconduct allegation in 2023 where a Below Deck makeup artist accused him of grabbing her inappropriately drunkenly in his hotel room and trying to prevent her from leaving. The Bravo network said they investigated the allegations and took action, but the only consequence that happened was Gary being disinvited from BravoCon 2023.

Many BDSY were calling for Gary to be canceled from the network, but he returned for season 5, proving that he can do no wrong.

It seems Bravo is willing to forgive his transgressions in return for enhanced interest and viewership in the spinoff.

Captain Glenn Is Not Interesting

He Doesn't Have A Big Personality

Captain Glenn has a hands-off style of management, and often stays aloof to crew drama. He has fired crew members in the past and asserted his authority, especially over safety concerns, but his personality has not been as big as some of the other formidable Below Deck captains like Captain Lee Rosbach and Captain Sandy Yawn. Highlights from Captain Glenn are usually about what he's eating or watching in his downtime, or about him learning Spanish (@belowdeckbravo), which aren't wholly interesting activities. Gary would make a much more interesting captain.

Gary Wants To Be Captain

But Is He Fit For The Position?

Gary made it known in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 that he has the ambition to be a captain.

"I want to be a captain one day, and training people in any circumstance. So I'm going to use this to prove that I am a good leader."

Since Bravo has an affinity towards Gary, it's possible they could have Captain Glenn bow out and have Gary take his place. However, Gary would have to toe the line of what is acceptable behavior from a captain, and that would be a challenge for him. Currently, there are no rumors about Gary officially taking over the spinoff, but that's not to say it couldn't happen in the future.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht airs on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.

Source: Bravo/YouTube, @belowdeckbravo/Instagram