João Franco

The lowdown

The Zimbabwean deckhand: skilled, cocky and never shy about undermining his boss. He juggled Brooke and Kasey in Season 3, then got the bosun stripes he was promised in Season 4.

Season 3: Lead Deckhand · Season 4: Bosun

📍 Where are they now?

He went from deckhand to bosun to captain. After serving as bosun on Below Deck Down Under Season 4 (2026), João was promoted to captain of a large superyacht and said in May 2026 that he won't be returning to the franchise.

As of 2026-05 · Reality Tea · Bravo Daily Dish

Storylines (13)

• 🧭Sandy Promises João the Bosun JobMentor with Sandy · Season 3, Episodes 1–16
• 💘Bad-Boy Deckhand Wins Over the Second StewBoatmance with Brooke · Season 3, Episodes 3–16
• 😏João Keeps Kasey on the HookFlirt with Kasey · Season 3, Episodes 3–16
• 🔥'Over-the-Hill Goat' vs. 'Chamois Technician'Feud with Hannah · Season 3, Episodes 3–16
• ⚔️Deckhand Plots to Steal the Bosun's JobRivalry with Conrad · Season 3, Episodes 3–12
• 🔥João Reduces Jamie to Tears Over Break TimeFeud with Jamie · Season 3, Episode 4
• 🤝Bosun Tears Up Over Injured DeckieBesties with Colin · Season 4, Episodes 1–14
• 🔥Bosun vs. Barefoot SlackerFeud with Jack · Season 4, Episodes 2–12
• 🧭Captain Hooks Bosun Up With a New GigMentor with Sandy · Season 4, Episodes 4–18
• 🔥Bosun Calls Stand-In Chef a 'Rank Amateur'Feud with Anastasia · Season 4, Episodes 6–7
• 🔥Deck Boss and Lead Deckie Come to BlowsFeud with Travis · Season 4, Episodes 7–11
• 😏Bosun Jealous Over Chief Stew's KissFlirt with Hannah · Season 4, Episode 11
• 🔥Aesha Blocks the BosunFeud with Aesha · Season 4, Episodes 11–18

🛎️ With the charter guests (4)

• 🛎️Ken & Amber: Novotnys return and leave the biggest tip yetSeason 3 · Charter 6 · Eps 9–11 · tip $25,000 · Guests nicknamed him 'Ice' and asked for him
• 🛎️Daniel & Melinda: Positive affirmations and a Bloody Mary standoffSeason 3 · Charter 8 · Eps 13–14 · tip $14,000 · Guests pulled João over to chat
• 🛎️Johnny & Michelle Damon: Johnny Damon, a drunk neighbor and 'not five-star' foodSeason 4 · Charter 5 · Eps 9–11 · tip €17,400 (≈ $19,140) · Removed the drunk neighbor
• 🛎️Jennifer & Patrick: White Party on rough seasSeason 4 · Charter 8 · Eps 15–16 · tip $16,000 · $1,260 each · Captain scolded him over the jet-ski breakdown