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BELOW DECK — Pictured: Captain Lee Rosbach — (Photo by: Greg Endries/Bravo)

Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck can be an intimidating boss. He runs a tight ship, so to speak, and his no-nonsense approach to management can be a little daunting, especially for a green crew member.

However, Rosbach has shown time and time again how to stay on his good side, which chief stewardess Kate Chastain has masterfully accomplished. He also has nothing but love for new chef Adrian Martin and second stew Josiah Carter. But, he clearly seems to be losing his patience with other crew members.

So what is the secret to staying on Rosbach’s good side and avoid getting the dreaded “plane ticket home?” And what character trait annoys him most?

Rosbach likes a straight shooter

Deckhand Ross Inia went directly to Rosbach when boson Chandler Brooks was not providing solid direction. Inia seemed extremely nervous that he was breaking the chain of command but needed feedback from the captain. While perhaps some captains may have told Inia to go work it out with Brooks, Rosbach appreciated his initiative.

“He is clearly frustrated with the way things are playing out,” Rosbach blogged. “After watching, I can’t say that I blame him. He clearly cares about his performance, but also cares about the rest of his crew and how they and the boat are perceived.” Inia described the mess with the deckhands, which Rosbach appreciated. “Ross didn’t throw Rhylee under the bus, he was in my opinion frustrated with the lack of leadership,” he added.”

He appreciates hard work

BELOW DECK — Pictured: Adrian Martin — (Photo by: Greg Endries/Bravo)

Even if a crew member is a little green, a little hard work goes a long way for Rosbach.  Deckhand Rhylee Gerber has had a bumpy ride on Below Deck, but Rosbach recognizes her sweat equity. Especially after being constantly at odds with Brooks. “Are you a hard working person? I think that you are, and isn’t that what really counts?” Rosbach blogged.  He also commented that there was nothing wrong with Gerber’s work ethic but could use a hand from her boss. “The work ethic you seem to have down, and when you do that, people will notice as I have,” he blogged.

But don’t have an attitude

Rosbach told Forbes that a lack of a good attitude is what he appreciates least in a crew. While Gerber’s work ethic is noted, Rosbach is irritated with how much Gerber complains. “Let your work speak for you, not your mouth. It will take you much farther than you think. Your work ethic is appreciated, your sarcasm and uncalled for comments are not,” he blogged.

At the same time, he slams Gerber’s boss for his attitude too. Brooks refused to allow Gerber, a fishing boat captain to take guests on a fishing excursion. Instead sent deckhands with no fishing experience. “Shame on you for letting your personal feelings towards a mate affect your guest service,” Rosbach blogged. “Not a good look at all.”

And don’t be lazy

He also notices that Brooks tends to take a lot of breaks while his crew constantly works. “When I watched tonight’s episode, I saw everyone not get a break but you,” Rosbach blogged. “You got two of them and then turned in early shortly after coming off one of those breaks. Really? A good bosun leads by working longer and harder than his constituents. That doesn’t seem to be the case with you.”

He adds if Brooks needs a sleep mask to take him off the dreamland, he must not be working hard enough. “You have a long way to go and I hope you have what it takes, but right now, I’m not seeing it. If you need those things you use to cover your eyes to get to sleep on a charter yacht, in my opinion, you are clearly not working hard enough.”

Don’t leave him hanging

BELOW DECK — Pictured: (l-r) Ross Inia, Rhylee Gerber — (Photo by: Greg Endries/Bravo)

If you really want to anger Rosbach, turn off your radio and go silent. Brooks didn’t plan to keep at least one deckhand on board when guests had an off yacht lunch. The weather rolled in and Rosbach had to rush around and perform deckhand duties to cover furniture and prepare the boat. He constantly radios the deck crew but no one responds. Needless to say, it looks like heads are going to roll when they return.

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