Mutiny on the Motor Yacht: How One Stew Turned the Tide on a Toxic Captain
If you think life at sea is all sun-kissed decks, champagne toasts, and glamorous ports, let me introduce you to the other side of yachting: the side where the chef never cooks, the captain reeks of more than just saltwater, and the only thing fresh on board is the drama.
Today, we’re diving into a wild tale from r/PettyRevenge, where one brave stewardess not only survived a nightmare voyage—but made sure her ex-captain’s career would be dead in the water. Let’s hoist the anchor on this delicious story of seafaring survival and sweet, sweet revenge.
A Recipe for Disaster: Chef, Captain, and Chaos
Our protagonist, u/Bayly91, signed on as a stewardess/deckhand aboard a 20-meter motoryacht, expecting adventure. Instead, she got a crash course in “how not to run a crew.” The chef, a Spanish woman who didn’t speak English (but spoke volumes with her glares), refused to cook—ever. Her partner, the French captain, was more puppet than leader, with questionable hygiene and even more questionable people skills.
With no fresh food, no camaraderie, and no support, it’s no wonder Bayly91 quit early. But that’s where the real storm began.
Trapped at Sea—and in Bureaucracy
Yachting contracts are strict: you give a week’s notice, you get off at the next port. But this captain wasn’t about to make things easy. Instead, he tried to strand Bayly91 in Gibraltar—a location she couldn’t legally enter as a Colombian passport holder. Whether out of ignorance or malice, he insisted Gibraltar was Spanish territory (pro tip: it’s UK territory), and refused to discuss alternatives.
Imagine being exhausted, hungry (because the “chef” still wouldn’t cook), and fearing immigration detention—all while at sea with two people who already hate you. Oh, and the WiFi barely works. Welcome to maritime purgatory.
SOS: Stewardess Overboard (Almost)
Desperate times call for desperate measures. With the management agency ghosting her and her stress levels rising faster than a Mediterranean squall, Bayly91 managed to contact the yacht’s owner. To her immense relief, he immediately intervened and arranged her drop-off in Spain.
But the captain’s response? Pure villain material. He stormed onto the flybridge, screamed at her for “calling the owner,” threatened to withhold her pay, and even tried to snatch her phone (and maybe take a swing at her). Our quick-thinking stew hid her passport, told her loved ones, and locked every cabin door she could.
Finally, she disembarked safely in Fuengirola. But the story doesn’t end there…
The Petty Revenge: Sinking the Captain’s Prospects
Yachting is a small world—tight-knit, talkative, and with a long memory for red flags. Knowing her ex-captain was looking for a replacement, Bayly91 put out the word: steer clear of this boat-shaped dumpster fire. She didn’t just whisper it—she broadcast it across Facebook and WhatsApp groups, warning every stewardess and deckhand in Europe.
The result? Radio silence for the captain. Candidates ghosted him. Interviews were cancelled. For a full month (an eternity in yachting, where jobs fill in days), no one would touch his listing with a ten-foot boat hook. Turns out, the best way to stop a toxic skipper is to cut off his supply of crew—one WhatsApp message at a time.
Lessons from the Lower Deck
What’s the takeaway from this salty saga? First, never underestimate the power of community. Word-of-mouth is stronger than any storm when it comes to protecting fellow crew. Second, trust your gut (and maybe keep your passport close). And finally, sometimes the best revenge is making sure no one else has to go through what you did.
So here’s to Bayly91, who not only survived a nautical nightmare but helped steer her industry toward safer waters—even if it meant a little well-deserved, and very petty, revenge.
What’s Your Yachting Horror Story?
Have you ever worked with a nightmare boss or escaped a toxic job? Drop your wildest workplace tales in the comments—or let us know if you think the captain got what he deserved! Don’t forget to share this post with your favorite sea dogs and landlubbers alike.
Bon voyage to better jobs—and even better revenge!
Original Reddit Post: My ex captain and his job offer