Just in time to save the summer, Below Deck Down Under is back for Season 2 and transporting fans of the franchise to Cairns, Australia, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. At the helm for another round is Captain Jason Chambers, who still holds the title as the youngest captain in Below Deck franchise history. At his side once again is Chief Stew and plucky New Zealander Aesha Scott, whose “enthusiasm, kindness and empathy” once again impress Chambers this season.
While the duo was able to fall back into an easy rapport, they had to deal with an unexpected challenge from the start: Northern Star. This season’s new motor yacht is a converted 1977 Japanese trawler with a few modern updates and a rich history, but its vintage navigational equipment (like its steering system) presents a bit of a wrinkle for our intrepid crew.
Joining Chambers and Scott this season are Bosun Luke Jones and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, who both have to adapt to their unique surroundings and figure out how to run their departments in an efficient manner that best benefits the guests. Each charter offers adventure, luxury, and breathtaking sights, but it is up to Chambers and the rest of the crew to keep their guests safe—mostly from mischief of their own making as fans will see from the very first charter—and happy.
“Looking back on the experience, the guests were just as dramatic as the crew,” reflected Chambers. When asked how this season compares to the show’s inaugural season on Peacock, Chambers replied: “I was surprised by how exciting Season 1 turned out to be when I saw it all put together, but Season 2 is going to knock it out of the ballpark.”
Decider got to speak to Chambers over Zoom about the Northern Sun, how he and Scott are aligned, what his daughter thinks of the show, and his appearance on Project Runway later this season.
DECIDER: New season, new boat. What can you tell us about the Northern Sun and why it’s so different from other motor yachts we’ve seen on the franchise?
CAPTAIN JASON CHAMBERS: It’s an older boat from 1977. It’s only got one prop. It’s a single screw variable pitch vessel so it’s not really made for the reefs. However, that didn’t stop us from navigating around the reefs in North Queensland, Australia. While the Northern Sun did take its toll on me, it was a beautiful, pretty nostalgic boat to drive. I enjoyed it. It felt like I had conquered something because I have never driven a vessel like this before.
In the season premiere, you describe the steering system as “very nostalgic.” What was the most challenging aspect of being at the helm?
Because the vessel only has one prop, it always wants to go to the starboard side. When the wind and the tide come into play, you don’t have the ability to point the boat in one direction and drive it. You have to use all the elements at your disposal to steer, which means you might have to get the tide on your bow to help you come off a little bit. The wind, you have to go against it sometimes.
Another challenging aspect was that all the instruments are on the inside of the vessel, so I wasn’t outside with the crew to see distances. I had to rely on the crew to tell me where I was and where to position. Having a good deck team was vital. While it was difficult at times, I’m glad that I got the opportunity to drive the Northern Sun.
What was it like working with Luke as your Bosun?
Luke did well. He worked hard. Look, I was quite happy to have someone who could just jump in and do the job. Last year, we had to tiptoe around things at the start. It was really nice and refreshing to start off with someone strong who knew what he was doing and was my support.
Fans absolutely love the dynamic between you and Aesha. How did this season differ from last season?
We never spoke about it, but we both knew we wanted to be better than we were last season. We wanted this service to be better. We did have a few hurdles to jump over to get to that, but we were always trying to improve. Aesha and I work well together. We have similar personalities. Away from work, Aesha can be a little homebody or she can be out climbing a mountain. I’m the same with big highs and big relaxing lows. We get on well. She brings a lot of enthusiasm, kindness, and empathy to the team on the boat. That’s essential.
What was your mindset going into the initial charter?
Just like in Season 1, when that charter group steps on board, everything just goes away for me, including the cameras. We’re here to do a job. I’m here to be a captain. We’ve got guests on board, and we’ve got crew to train. As soon as hurdles started coming up, we immediately pivot and work to solve the issues as a team. Going backwards is not an option. Before you know it, one group rolls into the next and then nine charters later, you’re like, where did all that go?
Good yacht chefs are hard to find. What are your thoughts on Zarina?
The boat is a converted old fishing trawler, and when they did the conversions, they didn’t factor in the galley. They didn’t anticipate a chef having to cook to the standard that we require. Although the equipment did function well enough for Zarina to do her job, she faced considerable hurdles from having to work in such a confined space. When the provisions came on board, she had to change everything because her storage plan wouldn’t work. She was very frazzled. People will definitely see some growth there.
In addition to being a Captain, you’re such a team player. We’ve seen you lend a hand on deck and in the galley. Is it part of a Captain’s job to pitch in?
There’s definitely a fine line between jumping in where you’re needed and getting out of the way and letting the team do what they want to do. While nobody needs a captain breathing down their neck, my presence sometimes benefits me and the crew. If I can take away just 1% of what someone else has to do, it’s only a positive thing.
And helping out gives me a little bit of an ear drop into what’s going on. These are real charters, and if I don’t go walking around, I’m not going to know what’s going on. I get to pick up on a few little things, and I suppose that’s where I get my empathy for what’s going on with crew members, whether it’s issues from their personal lives or their interactions with other crew members. That inside knowledge helps me be a better captain.
Even so, I still was impressed to see you steaming crabs with Zarina in the premiere.
I spent two years crab fishing north of Australia during Covid on a boat going to Kimberley and back. So I was ready for it. As soon as the crab prep came up, I knew she was doing it the slow way. I sped her up a little bit, and she got through.
You also talk about your daughter a bit in the premiere, which is always nice to hear. Has she watched the show at all?
She has not seen it yet because of where we live in the Philippines. We don’t have the opportunity for streaming. I know she’s had enough searches on YouTube to get a gist of what’s going on. I’m going to be walking around in Budgy smugglers this season though, so maybe I should put her on Kids YouTube .
Does the disco helmet, which was “awarded” to the crew member most in need of improvement, make a return this season?
Well, to be quite honest, it was hard to get it off my father after Season 1. He was wearing it around a bit, so I couldn’t really take it off him. It was a bit hard.
You don’t strike me as an emoji guy, but can you preview this season of Below Deck Down Under using three of them?
[Laughs] Ice cold with a cube? There are emotions and a lot of ups and down this season. Fill in whatever emojis you want, but this season is emotional and full of high points and low points. It’s definitely wonderful to see what Australia has to offer.
Okay, I’ll stop with the emojis. What can you briefly say about this season?
You know, I enjoyed myself. The crew did too. Looking back on the experience, I realize that the guests were just as dramatic as the crew. [laughs] That will be fun to watch. Season 2 is going to knock it out of the ballpark.
Last question, I’m a big Project Runway fan, so I was thrilled to see you, Aesha and more Below Deck stars show up in the season’s trailer. What can you tease about your episode?
That was a different experience. I really enjoyed it. I met some beautiful, very creative people, who I’m still in touch with. I can’t wait to see it. I’m definitely outside my box on that one.
I don’t know if you can tell me this, but do you hit the runway or not?
Well, I’m there. That’s all I can say.
New episodes of Below Deck Down Under air back-to-back Mondays at 8PM ET/PT on Bravo