Captain Lee Rosbach Officially Departs 'Below Deck' but Leaves Door Open for Future Return

Since its debut in 2013, Bravo's hit reality series Below Deck has forever altered the world of yacht enthusiasts. The show chronicles the lives of the crew members who work and reside aboard a superyacht during charter season, and Captain Lee Rosbach led the charge until Season 10, marking his final season on the series.

Now that Captain Lee has unexpectedly exited the scene, longtime fans are dying for answers. For starters, what led to his departure from Below Deck? Delve into the latest insights below.

At BravoCon 2023, the network formally announced Captain Lee's absence from Season 11 and revealed Below Deck Adventure star Captain Kerry Titheradge would be his replacement. This confirmation followed Us Weekly's February 2023 report, breaking the news of the Michigan native's departure from the series.

While initial speculation suggested Lee voluntarily departed and retired due to health concerns, the captain revealed he was not invited back. In a May 2023 interview with Us Weekly, Lee expressed surprise at the news of his departure, stating, "That came right out of left field. I did not see that one coming at all."

He noted that Bravo did not provide a specific reason for the decision: "We would like to move in a new direction," Lee recalled being told about his exit. "But I mean, that's kind of a cliché that everybody uses when they find themselves in that situation where they're going to let somebody go. 'I'm going to move in a new direction. We want to freshen it up a little.' [They are] tired clichés that get overused."

Despite his absence from Season 11, Lee hinted that a potential return to Below Deck isn't out of the question. He told Us Weekly, "If they found that they needed me back on the show, I'd go back. I've done it for 10 years, and I would kind of like to — if I'm going to make an exit — do it on different terms."

For those of us who need a refresher, Captain Lee shockingly departs the popular show at the beginning of Season 10 due to ongoing health issues. He underwent back surgery before filming for the 10th season began, but unfortunately, his recovery doesn't progress as expected.

During the Season 10 premiere, Lee addresses his health problems in a staff meeting, telling the rest of the crew, "I am a little incapacitated. I have a nerve issue on my left side, so I am going to depend on you guys in some areas."

Recognizing that relying on a cane and crutches negatively impacts his performance, Lee shocks the world in the Dec. 12, 2022, episode by announcing his departure to seek further medical attention. Over two months later, in the Feb. 27, 2023, episode, Captain Lee makes his grand return and relieves interim Captain Sandy Yawn of her duties.

Catch new episodes of Below Deck on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock.