Over the last 12 years,Below Deckhas featured several intense moments, some of which have shown crew members experiencing anxiety attacks while being filmed. Most recently,Rainbeau de Roos shared her experience of having a panic attack due to the increasing stresswhile onboard.
Rainbeau, a newcomer inBelow Deckseason 12, joined as the second stewardess, working alongside Chief Stew Fraser Olender and the rest of the crew as they sailed on St. David through the Caribbean. They visited locations such as Sint Maarten, Anguilla, and St. Barths.
Rainbeau had a great start in the first few episodes, but things took a tense turn in the third episode, titled “Fight Island.” During that episode, Rainbeau did her best to assist Solène Favreau, a fellow steward, with dishes. However, Solène requested a break, leaving Rainbeau to let her go to bed.
In the middle of the night,Rainbeau experienced a severe panic attack and broke down in tears.Deckhand Damo Yörg rushed to help her, but Rainbeau insisted to him that she didn’t need help, fearing it would disrupt her bedtime and morning plans.
6Kate Chastain’s Boat Exit After Ashton Pienaar Yelled At Her
Ashton Made Kate Feel Unsafe
A couple of years back,Below Deckstar Kate Chastain experienced a moment of panic that prompted her to stop filming suddenly. The tension escalatedwhen Deckhand Ashton Pienaar confronted Kateover her previous comments during a van ride after a night out.
His long-standing issues with Kate finally came to a head during aheated exchange, leading Ashton to punch a van window. The intense confrontation took Kate by surprise, prompting her to immediately leave the boat and instruct the crew not to follow her. She said she felt unsafe and made it clear she was done filming.
5Rainbeau de Roos' Cleaning Meltdown
Rainbeau Was Feeling Anxious About Her Workload
In June 2025, Rainbeau appeared onWatch What Happens Live, where she explained the stress that led to her panic attack while vacuuming, as seen in episode 3. She said,“I think anyone can attest when they’re going through a panic attack, nothing is going through your mind at all.”
Rainbeau explained that her strategywas simply to"stay calm"and"survive,“hoping that would help her deal with the anxiety. She said that it was the fact that she had a lot ofpending work at two in the morning. This led her to have that panic attack.
4Chef Mathew Shea’s Anxiety Attack Which Left The Crew Chef-less
Chef Mathew Shea’s Injury Caused Him To Feel Anxious
InBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 6, Chef Matthew Shea experienced an emotional moment during the first charter. The popular chef had struggled to sleep for days prior to joining the crew. The demandingfilming schedule eventually led to him injuring his knee.
Chef Matthew later disclosed that he had been in significant pain leading up to the incident, revealing that he had had a panic attack. This sudden turn of events left the crew without a chef, with Chef Matthew confessing to Captain Sandy,“I am freaking out, I don’t know what to do.”
3Katie Flood’s Panic Attack Over Lexi Wilson Drama
Lexi’s Behavior Caused Katie’s Emotional Distress
InBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 6, Katie Flood also experienced an emotional breakdown.
The incident was triggered by Lexi Wilson’s aggressive behavior, which left Katie feeling anxious.Producers had to intervene to prevent any violence from escalatingfurther. Afterward, Katie talked about how her encounter with Lexi made her anxious.
She mentioned confronting the production team to address the situation, acknowledging that it was a breaking point for her. Although Katie’s panic attack was more subdued, it’ll be remembered as one of the most intense moments in the history of theBelow Deckfranchise.
2Hannah Ferrier’s Panic Attack In Front Of Captain Sandy
Hannah Ferrier Was Unable To Get Back To Work
FormerBelow Deckstar Hannah Ferrier experienced a panic attack in front of Captain Sandy Yawn. The incident occurred when Hannah was feeling very ill and unable to work one morning. She was late to work, leading Captain Sandy to call her to her cabin.
Captain Sandy inquired,“I have seen everybody working but you this morning.“Hannah responded,“I’ve been a bit ill,“before getting up and leaving the cabin while breathing heavily. She then tried to lock herself in her cabin andinformed Captain Sandy,“It’s not food poisoning, it’s anxiety.”
1Lara Rigby’s Anxiety Attack In Her Cabin
Lara Rigby Experienced Multiple Stressors
It isn’t just the stews and chefs who have experienced panic attacks on the show. Over the years, managers have also struggled with anxiety issues. Chief Stew Lara Rigby, for example, had an emotional breakdown in her cabin.
It all began whenshe got trapped in an elevator, which left her feeling extremely stressed. Dealing with a messy galley and the boat in a dire state added to her anxiety.
Eventually, thepressure became too much for Lara, leading her to suffer a panic attack. Her fellow crew members tried to help her calm down as she broke down in her cabin. Lara later revealed it was her first panic attack in years.Below Deckcrew members work in stressful situations that can sometimes overwhelm and exhaust them.
