In the dramatic April 14 episode of <em>Below Deck Down Under</em>, Captain Jason Chambers made the difficult decision to let go of two crew members from super yacht Katina after a particularly tumultuous night. Deckhand Johnny Arvanitis and Bosun Wihan du Toit were both dismissed, albeit for different reasons. Johnny’s departure stemmed from an emotional outburst when he discovered his romantic interest, Sous Chef Alesia Harris, cuddling in bed with Wihan. Conversely, Wihan’s termination was due to ongoing performance issues that had been under scrutiny for some time, unrelated to the incident involving Johnny and Alesia.
Throughout season 3 of Below Deck Down Under, Captain Jason has faced numerous challenging decisions, including the departure of the original sous chef, Anthony Bird, who left following a conflict with head chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph. Wihan’s issues had been apparent for a while, and despite Captain Jason providing ample warnings, he failed to mitigate the drama surrounding him, ultimately leading to his dismissal. Johnny’s firing was unexpected, considering he had consistently performed well as a deckhand throughout the season.
The Sweet Yet Short-Lived “Boatmance” Between Johnny and Alesia
Alesia’s Introduction as Sous Chef After Anthony’s Departure
Alesia made her memorable debut in episode 6, quickly becoming a part of the crew’s social scene with a night of partying and dancing. Instantly, Johnny was smitten, claiming he had been struck by Cupid’s arrow. He made a bold move to kiss her on their first night together, but Alesia hesitated, brushing him off. Nevertheless, she was intrigued by Johnny’s earnest approach, captivated by his Greek charm, leading them to embark on a delightful yet fleeting “boatmance.”
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Though Johnny and Alesia had limited time to fully explore their budding relationship, the moments they shared were undeniably sweet and meaningful.
Throughout their time on the Katina, Johnny and Alesia would steal kisses in secret, showcasing their growing affection for each other. At one point, Johnny even sought Captain Jason’s special permission to take Alesia off the yacht for a date, a clear indication of how serious things were getting on Below Deck.
Johnny appeared to be quite confident about his connection with Alesia; however, he did caution Wihan at one point about keeping his distance from her, and Wihan assured Johnny he would respect those boundaries.
The Shocking Moment: Johnny Walked In On Alesia in Bed with Wihan
Alesia’s Confusion: She Thought Wihan Was Johnny
The romance between Johnny and Alesia took a dramatic turn in one of the season’s most intense scenes on Below Deck Down Under. Following another night filled with partying and drinking, Alesia mistakenly wandered into Wihan and Johnny’s shared room. Earlier, she had asked Johnny if she could come into his bed for some cuddling, which he had agreed to. However, after a few drinks, Alesia, who was still adjusting to life on the yacht, inadvertently entered Wihan’s bed, all the while calling out for Johnny.
As she nestled up next to Wihan, he wrapped his arms around her, leading to a moment that was as confusing as it was unexpected. Wihan appeared bewildered by Alesia’s sudden presence in his bunk, and she seemed to be a little disoriented. When Johnny entered the room and found them together, his reaction was explosive. Alesia claimed she genuinely thought she had climbed into Johnny’s bed, leaving Johnny in a state of shock.
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After Alesia explained the mishap regarding her being in Wihan’s bed, insisting it was merely a significant misunderstanding, likely exacerbated by the alcohol consumed during the crew’s night out, her explanation was plausible. Johnny’s shock at finding Alesia with Wihan was unintentional, she argued. However, given that Johnny had just confronted Wihan earlier that night, urging him to avoid Alesia, it was understandable that Johnny felt betrayed.
The Consequences of Johnny’s Outburst: His Dismissal After Punching a Wall
Johnny’s Temper Flared During the Incident
As Johnny stormed out of the cabin, grappling with the shock of the earlier encounter, Alesia hurried out of Wihan’s bunk to find Johnny in the galley. She conveyed that the situation was purely accidental, a misunderstanding due to her belief that she was in Johnny’s bed, reassuring him of her innocence. Johnny managed to maintain a calm demeanor in front of Alesia, gently touching her shoulder and expressing his understanding of the mistake, all while trying to soothe her distress.
However, when Johnny retreated to his room, his anger erupted. As Wihan sat up in his bunk, Johnny unleashed his fury by punching a cabinet, voicing his frustration and declaring he was leaving the boat. The sound of his aggression echoed throughout the yacht, alarming the rest of the crew. This disturbance even roused Captain Jason, who promptly went to investigate the commotion coming from Johnny and Wihan’s room.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Captain Jason decided it was best for Johnny to spend the night away from the yacht until he could regain his composure. He arranged for Johnny to stay in a hotel on shore for the night. The rest of the crew, visibly troubled by the events, attempted to settle down and get some rest. The following morning, Johnny returned to the yacht for a meeting with Captain Jason.
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Captain Jason informed Johnny that his aggressive behavior left him with no choice but to terminate his employment for the safety of both the crew and the yacht. Jason emphasized that such aggression is never acceptable. This marked a tragic end for Johnny, who had developed genuine feelings for Alesia; walking in on her with Wihan was a breaking point for him. While his emotional response was understandable, it ultimately was inappropriate for the context.
Johnny handled his dismissal with remarkable composure. He expressed his understanding to Captain Jason, shook his hand, and showed gratitude for the opportunity. He then proceeded to gather his belongings and bid farewell to Alesia, who was visibly upset throughout the morning. Johnny reassured Alesia that he held no blame against her, attributing the situation to unfortunate timing.
Alesia’s Guilt Over Johnny’s Dismissal
Alesia’s Self-Blame for the Situation
The morning following Johnny’s termination, Alesia appeared as if she had not rested at all. She faced the difficult task of explaining to Captain Jason the events that led to Johnny’s outburst, yet Jason reassured her that she was not at fault for what transpired. Despite his words, she still seemed in shock, likely grappling with the aftermath of the previous night’s events.
Chief Stew Lara Rigby informed Captain Jason that Alesia was feeling embarrassed and distressed by the entire incident. As Alesia recounted her version of events to Captain Jason, her fear was palpable. Both Jason and Lara reassured her that she bore no responsibility for the incident.
Alesia expressed lingering feelings of guilt for the outcome, even as Jason and Lara reiterated that the blame did not lie with her.
Although Alesia’s actions unintentionally triggered Johnny’s emotional response, once he resorted to physical aggression, the responsibility lay squarely with him.
Ultimately, Johnny must take accountability for his actions, and it was imperative for Captain Jason to prioritize the safety of both guests and crew members, thus justifying the decision to terminate his employment.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
