Wihan’s Leadership Struggles on Below Deck Down Under
Watching Below Deck Down Under from the perspective of Bosun Wihan du Toit this season must be quite perplexing. His leadership shortcomings have allowed deckhand Harry Van Vliet to not only rise to the occasion but also outperform him in various aspects. While Wihan has been preoccupied with flirting and neglecting his duties, Harry has effectively taken on both his own role and Wihan’s responsibilities, even winning over the attention of the same woman that Wihan initially set his sights on.
If Wihan continues on this trajectory, Captain Jason Chambers might consider replacing him with Harry, given Harry’s consistent reliability throughout the season. Wihan’s management style bears similarities to the discredited Bosun Gary King, particularly in how they both fail to recognize the limits of their personal pursuits and the impact on crew dynamics. Their shared tendency to engage romantically with crew members diverts their focus from essential tasks, creating unnecessary drama and highlighting their professional downfall. This behavior only boosts Harry’s desirability as a stronger candidate for the bosun position.
Wihan’s Focus on Romantic Endeavors
Romantic Interests: Tzarina, Marina, and Adair
In the early stages of Season 3, Wihan was captivated by Brianna “Bri”Duffield, a stew from New Jersey with a background in runway modeling. While Wihan tried to charm her with his flirtatious antics, Harry took a more subtle approach, capturing Bri’s attention during a crew outing by sharing an intimate dance and a kiss, much to Wihan’s chagrin.
Wihan’s jealousy was evident during a confessional, as he remarked, “She does not belong with that man,”implying his disdain for Harry’s success. Dismissing his frustrations, Wihan sought attention from other women aboard, including Chef Tzarina Mace-Randolph, stew Marina Marcondes de Barros, and deckhand Adair Werley.
Initially, Wihan showed interest in Tzarina, who reciprocated his affection but felt disheartened when Wihan decided to date Marina instead. Wihan thrived on the attention from both women, disregarding potential conflicts arising from their professional roles. Ultimately, after a chaotic breakup one evening, Wihan found himself kissing Tzarina again while intoxicated.
Curiously, Wihan’s affections soon shifted to Adair, a member of his own crew. Despite the obvious conflicts of interest, Wihan felt compelled to express his feelings for Adair through a sentimental note:
“Adair, while country music is playing in the background, clearly those beautiful green eyes and beautiful smile has taken over and all I’m thinking about is the next time I’m seeing you again… Adair, I know we are working together and spending a lot of time together. I want to keep it professional at all times, but I won’t lie and say I don’t have feelings for you.”
This declaration poses a significant ethical dilemma, as Wihan’s position of authority complicates their dynamic, suggesting favoritism and undermining professionalism.
Harry Steps Up in Wihan’s Absence
Harry Takes Charge
Wihan’s distraction with Adair became particularly evident during a chaotic dinner service when he neglected to assist his crew. Instead of focusing on guest needs, Wihan was preoccupied below deck, allowing Harry to step in and manage the situation, including participating in an engaging challenge for the guests.
Harry’s observation of internal crew discrepancies prompted him to raise concerns about Wihan’s leadership directly. When he suggested Wihan establish clearer instructions for the deck team, Wihan brushed off the suggestion, dismissing the need for greater structure. However, tension was palpable, and Captain Jason Chambers noticed Harry’s unease, prompting him to inquire further.
In a moment of vulnerability, Harry divulged Wihan’s struggles to the Captain, which Wihan overheard, prompting defensiveness on his part. Rather than accepting accountability, Wihan accused Harry of disloyalty, failing to recognize that his leadership failures were at the crux of the crew’s discontent.
Harry’s Professionalism Outshines Wihan’s
Harry’s Leadership Qualities
During a chartered beach lunch that Wihan opted to skip, the disconnect became evident. Wihan’s failure to communicate effectively with the crew led to disarray and frustration. Instead of overseeing the event, he was engrossed in gossip with Harry regarding sous chef Alesia Harris’s supposed crush on him. Harry, however, offered his candid opinion during a confessional:
“I don’t know how delusional you have to be to think that if you get a text from a girl, she likes you. This isn’t The Bachelor, this is a super yacht.”
With a sense of humor, Harry attempted to pull Wihan back to reality, highlighting the absurdity of focusing on personal drama over professional duties. While Wihan indulged in fantasies, Harry remained grounded, illustrating a stark contrast in their professional priorities.
Below Deck Down Under airs on Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo and becomes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.