Kate Chastain from Below Deck Shares That She’s Lost Connection with Captain Lee
Below Deck‘s Kate Chastain and Captain Lee Rosbach developed a close friendship while filming the series, but they have since drifted apart after leaving the franchise.
In an interview with Us Weekly for their Below Deck cover story, Kate, 42, shared insights about her relationship with Lee, 75, stating, “I moved away from Fort Lauderdale and, of course, we’re no longer working together on boats.”
She also revealed that they haven’t been in contact lately.
“He played such a significant role in my life that we’ve kind of lost touch,” she mentioned. “But I wish him all the best.”
Joining Below Deck in its second season, Kate’s journey on the show revolved predominantly around her collaboration with Captain Lee, nurturing their bond over the years. Kate departed from the series in 2020, with Lee, a staple since the show’s inception, surprising fans by announcing his exit three years later.
They later moved on to host Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate, which aired for a single season in 2023. Following Lee’s departure from Below Deck, he was succeeded by Captain Kerry Titheradge, although Captain Sandy Yawn temporarily filled in for him during Lee’s health challenges in his final season.
After Lee openly questioned Sandy, 60, regarding her management in his absence, Kate expressed her support for both individuals.
“I truly believe Sandy is an exceptional captain. She has always shown remarkable skill. I think she handles the boat better than any captain from any Below Deck franchise,” Kate remarked in a June 2024 interview with Us. “I don’t think Lee’s critiques of her were fair [or] justified.”
Staying neutral, Kate clarified, “Just like with any friendships, I won’t take sides or sever connections if that’s not my feeling.”
The former chief stew’s remarks on her friendships with both Sandy and Lee came shortly after she attended Sandy’s wedding to Leah Shafer in 2024. During her conversation with Us for a cover feature on Below Deck, Kate identified Sandy as someone she’d be eager to collaborate with on screen.
“From the first season, it was clear to me,” Kate shared with Us. “Many who haven’t worked in yachting don’t realize this: she excels as a captain in the Mediterranean, especially in her parking skills. It’s known as Med mooring, and she does it exceptionally well. It’s truly impressive.”
Kate expressed her deep respect for Captain Sandy.
“I think she’s an excellent captain, and I’d love to collaborate with her chef,” she continued regarding her ideal team. “It would definitely be Ben [Robinson] as my chef, and for my interior team, I’d want all-star chief stews.”
Kate added, “Let’s include Fraser [Olender], Daisy [Kelliher], and Aesha [Scott], and then the four of us can take charge. I’m happy to handle the laundry, which is nice since you can relax away from guests. And on deck? Who really cares; I’d just have a golden retriever.”
For more insights from Kate, check out the exclusive video above and grab the latest copy of Us Weekly — available now on newsstands.
