Below Deck Down Under is a spinoff of the Below Deck reality program. The season hosts crew aboard a superyacht as guests sail through the Whitsunday Islands in Australia.
The spinoff is high-stress, just like its parent program, and leads to many dramatic situations. Romantic relations often arise from the extended stay, and friendship and negative feelings collide on the yacht.
However, in a recent episode of Below Deck Down Under, two crew members were fired for controversial behavior that disrespected the personal space of those on the yacht.
Who Was Fired From Below Deck Down Under?
The August 7 episode of Below Deck Down Under showed two firings. One was Bosun Luke Jones, and the second steward was Laura Bileskalne. They were fired for misconduct and non-consensual sexual advances toward their fellow crew members.
The situation became so severe that the production crew, who normally never break character, had to step in front of the camera to stop the two from their actions.
What Did Luke Jones Do?
The third stew Margot Sisson went to bed after informing chief steward Aesha Scott that she did not want to be bothered. However, a naked Jones entered Margot’s sleeping quarters and laid down beside her while she was drunk and unconscious.
Producers had to interrupt the scene and jump in front of the camera as they tried to persuade Jones to get off the bunk. Jones protested heavily, cursed at the staff, and was disgruntled at the efforts to get him off.
He was eventually forced out of the room, after which he locked himself in his quarters. Laura Bileskalne tried to ask what had happened, and Jones tried to shift the blame on the show’s staff members.
Margot learned of what had happened when she was sleeping and was relieved that Jones was removed from her quarters.
The captain kicked Jones off the ship after this incident. Scott later said in an interview, “You don’t have the right to put someone unconscious into that position.” Chambers told Jones off as well “Last night; there were boundaries crossed. There was indecency, and you went into someone else’s cabin without consent. Unfortunately, I’ve got nothing else but to terminate your employment.”
What Did Laura Do?
After Jones was fired from the deck, Laura Bileskalne made repeated insensitive comments about the incident with Margot. She did not agree with his firing and sympathized with him. Soon, it was revealed that she herself was also harassing a member and was promptly fired.
Margot told Laura what had happened, and she pitied Luke and said, “If he comes naked in my cabin, I’d be, like, ‘Hello! Yes!’” Chief Steward Scott reported to the captain after hearing the insensitive remarks.
Scott also informed him that Bilaskalne had made unwanted sexual advances on Adam Kodra. Earlier in the episode, she had attempted to sit on his lap in a hot tub despite him evading her. Later, she even entered his room without consent and tried to massage him and pored lotion over his back. It happened around the same time as Jones’ naked drama.
Once again, the producers intervened and asked Bilaskalne to leave the room; she did not exit the cabin before planting multiple kisses on Kodra’s back. Kodra later told the camera, “I told her many times I just want to be friends, but she’s not getting the point across.”
Cambers called Laura into his office the next morning and told her how Adam felt uncomfortable with her advances. She was then fired on-spot.
Captain Chambers later posted an Instagram video thanking the team for breaking the fourth wall and stepping in. It allowed them to deal with everything that was happening on deck.
Bilaskalne posted an apology on Instagram on August 8, and Jones’ post read, “It doesn’t matter what they think about you because you don’t Care. Everything we hear is an Opinion, Not a Fact. Everything we see is a Perspective. Not the Truth. Take Ownership and move forward.”
Both Jones and Laura have been heavily criticized for their lack of respect, attempts to make non-consensual sexual advances, and victim blaming. Margot has been supported by many crew members as well as fans of the show.
Comment down below if you detest the actions of Laura and Jones, and tell us what you think about their instant termination.
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