Luka Brunton Is the New Bosun on Below Deck Mediterranean: "Pressure Is On"

Things are quickly changing in the Mustique crew on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8.

Thanks to visa issues and a paperwork snafu, Captain Sandy Yawn started off the charter season down two members of the interior crew, and without Bosun Ruan Irving.

After learning that a replacement Bosun couldn't make it on board for another two weeks, Captain Sandy had a difficult decision to make. On Season 8, Episode 2, which aired on October 2, she brought interim Bosun Luka Brunton into the wheelhouse to share her decision regarding the rest of the season.

Captain Sandy Yawn Promotes Luka Brunton to Bosun

Luka, who was just the lead deckhand on Season 2 of Below Deck Down Under, quickly stepped up to the plate when Captain Sandy asked him to fill in as Bosun following Ruan Irving's departure.

The New Zealand native quickly built morale with fellow deckhands Lara Du Preez and Haleigh Gorman, called the right distances, and he even put the infamously-difficult water slide up in 15 minutes. After acknowledging that she was "impressed" by Luka's skills on deck, Captain Sandy decided to give him a permanent promotion.

"You were very humble in the beginning, and very helpful, so thank you," Sandy told Luka when she called him in to speak with her on Episode 2. "So, Ru, he is not coming back to the boat, so will you be the full-time Bosun?"

"I would love to," Luka told Sandy, though he expressed some mixed emotions about taking on so much responsibility in a confessional.

Luka and Captain Sandy in Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8. Photo: Bravo

"This whole time, I'm thinking, 'Yeah, sweet, someone else is going to come in and take the position back,' but now the f-cking pressure is on," he explained. "The season's only just begun. We haven't even put this thing on the dock yet!"

Sandy concluded the conversation by asking Luka to "tell the crew" about his new position.

The Mustique Deck Team Reacts to Luka Brunton's Promotion

Once Luka received his exciting promotion, he told deckhand Haleigh about the news.

"You're Daddy Bosun," Haleigh said. "You're my [boss] now."

Haleigh ended up relaying the news to Lara, who said that it was "f-cking amazing" that Luka would be staying on as her boss.

Why These Below Deck Med Season 8 Cast Members Will Look Familiar to Fans

"I'm definitely impressed with how Luka is handling it..." Lara said in an interview about Luka's presence on deck. "He's gorgeous to look at as well."

Who is the new deckhand on Below Deck Mediterranean?

Though Captain Sandy decided to promote Luka instead of waiting for a new Bosun to arrive in Genoa, Italy, there will be a new crew member joining Mustique on deck.

Where to Watch and Stream Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8

Fans will have to stay tuned to find out who will become the fourth and final member of the exterior team.

What Happened to Ruan Irving on Below Deck Mediterranean?

Ruan Irving, who joined the Mustique as a Bosun, departed on the September 25 premiere before Luka was promoted into the role.

Find out more about what transpired by tuning in to Below Deck Mediterranean on Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.