Captain Glenn Shephard Sheds New Light on Deckhand Emma Crouch’s Firing

During Season 5, Episode 8 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Captain Glenn Shephard made the difficult decision to let Emma Crouch go. In a recent interview with The Daily Dish, Glenn shared more insight as to why it was time to part ways with the deckhand.

"I don’t really like firing people, but sometimes you have no choice," Glenn said in the October interview. "I think, in hindsight, most of them that I’ve let go can understand why. I don’t think that they feel that they were treated unfairly... If you’re not ready to do the job, as much as I may like you, I’ve gotta get that person out of there and get somebody in who can."

"That’s kind of, in a nutshell, what it comes down to, if somebody is not ready to do the job," he continued. "We need people on the boat that can think on their feet."

Glenn also said that while he knows some of his staff may have limited experience, there are things that should come naturally to a "good crew member."

"As much as you like that person and you want to see them succeed in their own life, what you’re trying to do on the boat, you need somebody who’s capable in that role," he added. "And unfortunately, if somebody has to go, they have to go."

Emma Crouch Reacts to Being Fired on Below Deck Sailing Yacht 

Upon hearing the news, Emma began to cry and said, "You've obviously made your mind up." As Glenn explained that he thinks she has "potential to be a good deckhand," Emma stood up to leave and declared, "In the nicest way possible, I really don't want to carry on this conversation...I really appreciate everything, but I really don't want to carry this on."

After taking a few moments to process the news, Emma returned and had a final conversation with Glenn, in which he encouraged her to continue her career in yachting and get more experience.

"This isn't how I wanted the season to end. I do feel a bit at a loss," Emma stated in an episode interview. "I feel like I need a few days to actually absorb everything. I know that my anxiety does flare up quite a lot, and I need to be better at accepting that mistakes are something you can learn from. I've met some really amazing people. It would've been a lot harder without the people who made me smile being here. I'm gonna be forever grateful." 

How the Below Deck Sailing Yacht Crew Reacted to Emma's Firing

As soon as Emma's roommate, Daisy Kelliher, found out the news, she comforted her and told her she had nothing to be embarrassed about. Next, Emma went and told Danni Warren and Diana Cruz, who were completely surprised and gave her big hugs.

"You're joking," said Danni, later adding, "I'm so sad."

While Gary was concerned about how the rest of the crew would react (he even called his mom for some advice), everyone was quite calm, albeit surprised.

"Oh wow," said chef Cloyce Martin when he heard the news. "That is sad to hear." Meanwhile, Davide Morosi offered Emma a hug.

After she left the boat, the crew was called together to talk about the situation.

"I did not see this coming," said deckhand Keith Allen. "I have mixed emotions: shock and maybe some guilt as well. Being completely unaware, I didn't even get to say goodbye. Pretty sh-tty."