If you’ve ever sat through a marathon of Below Deck Mediterranean, you know the name Hannah Ferrier. She wasn't just a chief stew; she was basically the face of the franchise for five years. Then, in 2020, everything went sideways. One minute she’s managing a high-end charter, and the next, she’s being chased down a dock by Captain Sandy Yawn in one of the most controversial firings in reality TV history.
The whole thing felt personal. Or at least, that’s how fans saw it.
People still argue about that cabin search and the photo of the Valium. Was it a setup? Was it maritime law? Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but the fallout changed Hannah’s life forever. While most of us were stuck at home during the pandemic, Hannah was navigating a career ending, a pregnancy, and a massive shift in how the public viewed her. Fast forward to today, and she’s a world away from the galley of a superyacht.
The Valium, the Vape, and the Firing Heard 'Round the World
Let’s get into the messy part because that’s what everyone remembers. During Season 5, bosun Malia White found Hannah’s prescribed Valium and a CBD vape pen in their shared cabin. Instead of talking to Hannah, Malia snapped a photo and sent it to Captain Sandy.
The internet exploded.
Sandy claimed her hands were tied because of maritime law. Crew members are supposed to log all medications with the captain. Hannah, on the other hand, argued it was anti-anxiety medication she had used for years. She wasn't trying to hide it; she just didn't think it was a "drug" in the illicit sense.
👉 See also: Jesus Guerrero: What Really Happened With the Celebrity Hair Stylist Death Cause
The optics were terrible. Seeing a chief stew get fired mid-charter for medication used to treat mental health felt "icky" to a lot of viewers. It didn't help that Malia and Hannah were already fighting over cabin arrangements. It looked like a revenge move. Even Captain Lee Rosbach from the original Below Deck weighed in later, suggesting that while the rules are the rules, the delivery was... well, harsh.
Making Amends with Captain Sandy
For years, Hannah and Sandy didn't speak. It was pure ice. Hannah frequently mentioned on podcasts that she had no interest in ever working with Sandy again. But time does weird things to people.
In a twist nobody saw coming, the two actually reconnected in Australia recently. Sandy visited Hannah’s home and even met her daughter, Ava. It seems they’ve moved past the "chasing you down the dock" energy. They’ve even teamed up for a live event series called City Cruises Live in 2025. They’re basically touring the U.S. together—San Francisco, San Diego, D.C.—to talk to fans.
It’s a bizarre full-circle moment. If you told a fan in 2020 that these two would be sharing a stage voluntarily, they would have laughed in your face.
Life After the White Skort
Since leaving the show, Hannah hasn't just been sitting around. She’s turned into a bit of a serial entrepreneur.
✨ Don't miss: Jared Leto Nude: Why the Actor's Relationship With Nudity Is So Controversial
She launched the Ocean International Training Academy with her former co-star and "work daughter" Anastasia Surmava. It’s basically a school for people who want to break into yachting without the "getting screamed at on TV" part. They sell these ebook packages—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—that teach the basics of being a stew or a deckhand.
Then there’s the podcast. Dear Reality, You're Effed! (which used to be Dear Diary, You're Effed!). She’s done over 160 episodes. She talks to other reality stars, like Barbie Pascual from Season 11, and dishes on the behind-the-scenes stuff that production usually tries to hide.
The Family Life in Sydney
The biggest change, though, is her personal life. Between filming Season 4 and 5, she met Josh Roberts at a bar in Sydney. He’s a Scottish guy who stays very far away from the spotlight. No public Instagram, no reality TV aspirations.
They had their daughter, Ava Grace Roberts, in October 2020.
They got married in March 2022.
If you follow her on Instagram now, it’s mostly photos of Ava’s "first girls' trip" or updates on their life in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She’s traded 20-hour shifts and demanding charter guests for board games and school runs. She’s even admitted that watching the new seasons of Below Deck is "triggering" for her because of the stress.
🔗 Read more: Jada Pinkett Smith With Hair: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Journey
What's Next for Hannah?
She recently signed with a new management agency called The Digital Renegades. Interestingly, it’s the same agency that represents Captain Sandy. This move signals that she’s leaning harder into the "influencer" and "lifestyle" space.
Would she ever go back to the show?
At BravoCon 2025, she joked that she’d return, but only if there was a crossover with The Real Housewives. She wants to sit back with a glass of champagne and watch the drama rather than being the one cleaning up after it.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Yachties
- Follow the Career Path: If you're actually looking to get into yachting because of her, check out the Ocean International Training Academy. It’s a legit way to learn the ropes without the drama of a TV set.
- The Podcast is the Real Source: If you want the unfiltered truth about how Bravo edits scenes, listen to the older episodes of Dear Reality, You're Effed!. She breaks down specific Season 5 moments that the cameras missed.
- See Her Live: If you're in the U.S., look for the City Cruises Live dates. It’s probably the only chance to see her and Sandy in the same room together.
- Maritime Law Matters: For anyone actually working on a boat, the "Hannah Rule" is simple: Declare every single pill, even if it's just Ibuprofen. It’s not worth losing a career over a paperwork error.
Hannah Ferrier went from being the most polarising figure on the water to a settled-down business mogul in Sydney. She proves there is definitely life after reality TV, even if you leave the show in a metaphorical blaze of glory.
Next Steps to Stay Updated
To stay current on Hannah’s latest ventures, you can follow her verified Instagram or subscribe to her podcast for her weekly takes on current reality TV drama.