Monday’s episode of Below Deck Down Under was harrowing. Deckhand Harry Van Vilet was hospitalized following a jet ski accident. The emergency led Captain Jason Chambers to alert production instead of the deck team.
Springing Into Action
This was probably one of the hardest charter seasons of Jason’s career. There have already been issues aboard the Katina involving an infestation and tensions in the galley. During the second charter, Harry rode on a jet ski while the guests enjoyed their beach picnic. He couldn’t believe how big the ocean swell was. Harry’s hand lowered to the water, and then he screamed in pain.
Jason took no chances. When he heard about Harry’s emergency, he immediately alerted production. According to The Daily Dish, Jason didn’t have time to consult Harry’s deck team. “Production, we have an issue with Harry on the jet ski at the moment,” he said. The captain jumped onto the production’s tender and rode toward Harry.
Medics immediately arrived at the yacht. Viewers got a view of Harry’s bloody hand. His right thumbnail was hanging off. Harry revealed what happened. He shared that he “crushed my thumb.” In his interview confessional, he explained how the accident happened. “I was pulling out of the jet ski, and I clipped the cradle on, and then a wave came, and my finger was in between the cradle and the jet ski, and it went up, so it was just crushed,” Harry said.
Jason paged for a doctor to arrive on board. Dr. Laura looked at Harry’s hand and noted that his severe injury could impact his job as a deckhand. Harry no longer had a fingernail—it was completely ripped off. He also had to treat his hand for a staph infection. Suddenly, his future was in limbo.
READ THIS: Below Deck Down Under producers cracked down on drinking in Season 3.
Will Harry Leave The Show?
Fans are wondering whether Harry’s time will be cut short. This injury could impact the deck team. Harry took medication and rested as advised, but the pain still kept him up all night. “It’s throbbing. It’s so sore. I feel awful. I’ve never felt like this in my life. This season could be over for me before it even starts,” he said in his confessional.
The following morning, Harry spoke to Jason about the pain. They both agreed he should go to the hospital for an X-ray. Jason and Bosun Wilhan Du Toit are concerned about losing Harry, but it’s possible he broke his thumb. “If that’s an issue, we need a new deckhand,” Jason said.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. New episodes stream the following day on Peacock.
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