Below Deck alum Kate Chastain made a rare comment about why she hasn’t gotten back in touch with Captain Lee Rosbach.
“We don’t work on boats anymore. I don’t live in Fort Lauderdale anymore. I don’t have time for anybody,” Kate, 43, exclusively told Us Weekly while promoting E!’s House of Villains.
Kate pointed out that she’s “a mom” to 2-year-old son Sullivan, adding, “I don’t have time for anyone.”
After joining Below Deck in season 2, Kate worked solely with Lee, 76, as her captain, which brought them close throughout the years. Kate exited the series in 2020 and Lee, who had appeared on the show since it debuted, surprised fans when he confirmed his exit three years later.
Kate Chastain and Captain Lee Rosbach falling out of touch is arguably one of the biggest offscreen twists in Below Deck history. The duo started working together in 2014 when Kate joined season 2 of Below Deck. They remained the only consistent cast members from season to season until Kate announced her exit after five […]
Kate and Lee reunited on Couch Talk With Captain Lee and Kate, which aired for one season in 2023. On Below Deck, Lee was subsequently replaced with Captain Kerry Titheradge — but not before Captain Sandy Yawn briefly filled in for him when Lee had health issues during his last season on the series.
After Lee publicly questioned how Sandy, 61, ran things in his absence, Kate showed support for them both.
“I think that Sandy is a really talented captain. She always has been. I think she drives the boat the best out of any captain in any Below Deck franchise,” Kate exclusively told Us in June 2024. “I don’t think that any of Lee’s criticisms of her were necessarily fair [or] warranted.”
She continued: “Just like with any other friends, I’m not going to take sides or end a friendship if that’s not how I feel.”
Kate then attended Sandy’s 2024 nuptials to Leah Shafer. She has since named Sandy as one of the people she would like to work with on screen.
“From the moment that I saw her 1st season,” Kate told Us in June 2025. “I think a lot of people who haven’t worked in yachting don’t understand this. She is an incredible captain in the Mediterranean vs. other parts of the world, specifically the way they park a boat. It’s like backing into a parking spot. It’s called Med mooring. She does that so well. It’s really impressive.”
As for her friendship with Lee, Kate blames their drifting apart to hectic schedules.
Below Deck and its spinoff series have never failed to bring the drama to Bravo fans everywhere since the franchise launched. The original series premiered in 2013, documenting the daily lives of crew members on luxurious yachts during charter season. With each season, the crew members’ personal lives have begun to cross over into their […]
“I’m just so busy with my toddler,” Kate shared with Us in November 2025. “I think it happens when you work with somebody.”
Kate clarified why she was no longer in touch with Lee. “You’ve got something in common to talk about — and now we don’t,” she added. “The ship has sailed. I’m happy for him and I’m happy for me.”
Speaking of being booked and busy, Kate is now on season 3 of House of Villains, which premiered last month.
“It is so shocking to me that I loved House of Villains so much more than The Traitors, because it was so much more fun,” she shared with Us. “But I think if people in the Bravo world [and] want to do Traitors and House of Villains, Traitors is the one to do first.”
House of Villains is streaming now on Peacock, with new episodes released every Thursday.