The bosun of the Parsifal III was once a fan favorite. But after a string of allegations, bad behavior when drinking, and a disinvite from BravoCon, Gary King will most certainly not be asked back after Season 5 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht concludes. But this begs the question of who should fill his shoes when he finally walks the plank.
Aleks Taldykin
Who could forget the first-ever bosun who starred in Below Deck Season 1? Aleks Taldykin was actually a great crew member. His Bravo bio shared that “he has had a love of the water since a young age.” Aleks was a Los Angeles native who got his first Captain’s license at 19. “At 20, he started his own company, Elite Yacht Management. His client list includes various celebrities and even heads of state,” added Bravo. As a “Captain to the Stars,” Aleks always prided himself on giving his clients the best service possible.
Viewers watched as Aleks came across as quite personable. And he had a great sense of humor. Unfortunately, he left the series due to being overqualified for the job. While it could be argued he was more of a captain, I think Aleks would work well alongside Glenn Shepard.
Storm Smith
Born and raised in South Africa, Storm Smith was an extremely hard worker. He showed his love of the job after having to step up after a previous bosun departed the yacht. To be honest, Storm was arguably one of the best bosun out of all the franchises. He was calm and easy to approach, which made him an outstanding leader. During his time as bosun, Storm went above and beyond to make sure the guests always left with smiles on their faces after having an adventure of a lifetime. With a love for the outdoors, Storm made his passion boats and often considered himself a “modern-day pirate.”
Perhaps one of the best things about Storm was that he was a student of the world. Before yachting, he had tried his hands at culinary school, being a surfing guide, and film school. This showed that he was ready for any challenge but was also comfortable switching things up if needed.
Kelley Johnson
I’ll admit it. Kelley Johnson wasn’t the nicest bosun, but he was easy to look at. Below Deck, viewers got to know him in Seasons 2 and 4. And while he might have had a heart of gold, he was one challenging coworker. However, he was a great addition to the boat as he fulfilled his chores and handled his team well. Even though Kelley may have jumped ships, taking on his new passion for nature photography, I think there is still a spot for him at the helm. He is now a Captain which means he knows his way around a boat. Even though the chances are slim that he would take a pay cut, it would be nice to see him back on the series since he was a fan favorite.
João Franco
Okay, even though João Franco didn’t exactly hit it off with his chief stew, I think he deserves another chance as a bosun. The South African took a few years off to figure out life and came back stronger than ever when he teamed up with Aesha Scott. There is no doubt that the former bosun was always a hard worker. Now that he has had an attitude check I think he is more than ready for the responsibility Glenn would throw at him. He is also very good at keeping work and life separated, so fingers crossed he won’t be hooking up with every single crew girl.
Malia White
I know some fans just can’t stand Malia White, but I think she is perfect for the bosun position. She has worked her way up to the role with pure grit and determination. Malia knows how to work and to do it well. The Floridian showed fans that she can easily take charge of an all-male crew without a hitch. Not only does she know how to get her hands dirty, but she is also passionate about working her way up in the yachting industry.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE STEP INTO THE BOSUN POSITION?