Hannah Ferrier was a beloved chief stew on the hit Bravo reality TV show Below Deck Mediterranean for five seasons before her departure in 2020. Many fans are wondering if she is still working as a chief stew or if she has moved on to other endeavors. Here’s a look at what Hannah has been up to since leaving the show.
Hannah’s Time on Below Deck Mediterranean
Hannah joined Below Deck Med in season 1 when the show premiered in 2016. She quickly became a fan favorite for her experience, leadership abilities, sense of humor, and glamorous style. As the chief stewardess, Hannah was responsible for overseeing the interior of the yacht, managing the stews under her, and providing 5-star service to the charter guests.
Over the course of 5 seasons, viewers got to see the ups and downs of Hannah’s job and personal life. She dealt with challenging charter guests, feisty stews, boat romances gone wrong, and her ongoing struggle with anxiety. Through it all, Hannah handled the drama with professionalism and her signature snarky quips.
In season 5, Hannah’s leadership was called into question by new second stew Lara Flumiani. Their clashing led to tension and confrontations, with Lara complaining that Hannah was unapproachable. Hannah also faced increased scrutiny from Captain Sandy Yawn over her job performance and some mistakes she made during charters.
Hannah’s Departure from Below Deck Mediterranean
During season 5 filming, Hannah was fired from Below Deck Med after Captain Sandy discovered unregistered Valium and a CBD vape pen in her cabin. Hannah maintained that she had a valid prescription for the Valium to treat her anxiety, but rules prohibited unauthorized medications on board. Her dismissal played out dramatically at the end of an episode.
Hannah later stated that producers exaggerated the circumstances surrounding her firing for storyline drama. She admitted wrongdoing for having Valium on board but felt the punitive response from Sandy was over-the-top. The two have publicly feuded about the specifics of Hannah’s termination from the show.
Many fans were upset and vocal about Hannah’s departure on social media, feeling the punishment did not fit the crime. However, both Bravo and Sandy stood by the decision to let Hannah go for violation of maritime law. Her iconic stint as chief stew ended abruptly after 5 memorable seasons.
What Hannah Has Been Up to Since Below Deck Mediterranean
Since leaving the show, Hannah has been pursuing a variety of new ventures while still capitalizing on her reality TV fame. She moved back to her native Australia and spent time decompressing after the stresses of her final Below Deck Med season.
She launched her own company, Ocean International Training Academy, which offers online courses for hospitality workers. Hannah provides training materials and certifications for yacht crew, housekeeping staff, hosts, waiters and more. She felt compelled to share her years of expertise to help others in the service industry succeed.
The former chief stew also started a podcast called “Raising the Bar with Hannah Ferrier” in 2021. She interviews members of the service industry and celebrity guests, offering advice and recounting funny stories from her unique career. Hannah has built a whole media platform around her life experiences on superyachts.
She publishes regular commentary on yachting and pop culture on her website and Instagram account. Hannah also shares glimpses into her life at home in Australia with her partner and young daughter. Fans can keep up with Hannah’s post-stew life through her hilarious and honest social media presence.
Hannah’s Cameo on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 7
Hannah briefly returned to Below Deck Med screens when she made a cameo during season 7 in 2022. She virtually dialed in to provide encouragement to current chief stew Natasha Webb, who was struggling with anxiety and imposter syndrome.
During their heart-to-heart, Hannah affirmed Natasha’s abilities and urged her to be confident in herself. She empathized with the pressures Natasha faced while also advising her not to let the job overwhelm her. It was a passing of the torch moment from one chief stew to another.
This cameo allowed Hannah to get closure on her time with Below Deck Med. She seemed at peace with how her tenure ended and proud of the legacy she left. Hannah’s words of wisdom to Natasha were widely praised by viewers who were happy to see the reality star back, if only briefly.
Launching a Yachting Podcast with Another Chief Stew
In January 2023, Hannah announced an exciting new project – a yachting podcast with fellow chief stewardess Kate Chastain. Kate was the chief stew on the flagship Below Deck series for 6 seasons before leaving in 2020.
Their podcast is titled “Raising the Bar with Hannah and Kate” and provides behind-the-scenes insights into the yachting industry. These two experienced chief stews combine their knowledge and colorful personalities to recap Bravo shows, interview crew members, and share charter horror stories.
Kate and Hannah balance each other’s styles out nicely – Kate excels at razor-sharp observations while Hannah provides earnest vulnerability. Fans are thrilled to have new content from two beloved Bravo personalities together. The podcast seems poised for success capitalizing on their yachting credentials and pop culture expertise.
Is Hannah Still Working in Yachting?
So does Hannah still work as a chief stew? As of early 2023, there are no signs that she has returned to yachting full time since leaving Below Deck Mediterranean. She appears focused on her media career, including the podcast with Kate, along with parenting her young daughter.
That said, Hannah is still very much involved in the yachting community through her training academy and podcast. She clearly still has a passion for the industry. It’s possible she could return to yachting work periodically for freelance opportunities or to help train new crew.
But for now, Hannah seems content building her brand as a yachting influencer and expert. She has leveraged her experience as chief stew into new avenues that allow her to work on her own terms. Hannah found great success in yachting, but seems ready for new adventures outside of the demanding role.
What Hannah Has Said About Leaving Yachting
In interviews, Hannah has hinted that while she treasures her yachting days, she feels ready to move on. Here are a few direct quotes on the subject:
“I won’t be going back into yachting full time. It’s such hard work, and now that I have a baby, my priorities have changed.” – The Daily Dish Podcast interview, 2021
“I definitely miss parts of yachting every now and then. But now that I’m a mum, I’m really loving being at home and having a more settled life.” – Instagram Q&A, 2022
“I’m proud of my yachting career and will always cherish those memories. But that chapter has closed and I’m enjoying new adventures.” – Raising the Bar Podcast, 2022
Based on Hannah’s own words, it sounds like she has permanently hung up her chief stew stripes. She seems happy embarking on new endeavors while occasionally reminiscing about her unforgettable Below Deck Med years.
Could Hannah Ever Return in a Limited Capacity?
While Hannah appears done with yachting as a full time job, there are scenarios where she could dip her toes back in for short charters. For instance, she could potentially return as a guest stew for a friend’s charter or to fill in on a boat needing extra experienced crew.
It’s also possible that Below Deck Mediterranean could invite Hannah back for a temporary cameo appearance. She remains one of the most popular personalities ever on the show. If producers wanted a ratings boost or to create a buzzy storyline, bringing Hannah back would accomplish that.
Bravo loves to have former cast members return as guests for an episode or two. A limited comeback allowing Hannah to properly say goodbye to the crew and fans would likely be warmly received. She and Captain Sandy could also get some closure on their turbulent relationship.
That said, Hannah seems content moving forward with new ventures outside of the Below Deck universe. She may prefer to focus her energy on parenting, the podcast with Kate, and passion projects like her training academy. But as a savvy businesswoman, a short-term Bravo cameo likely wouldn’t be out of the question.
Hannah’s Legacy and Influence on Below Deck Med
Regardless of whether she returns to yachting or the show, Hannah leaves behind a tremendous legacy as Below Deck Mediterranean’s original chief stew. As the first personality viewers got to know in that role, she set the tone for the franchise with her charm, dry humor, and blunt nature.
All chief stews who have come after Hannah have been compared to her benchmark of competence. Fans debate whether stews like Bugsy Drake, Katie Flood, and Natasha measured up to Hannah’s unflappable style.
As a seasoned yachtie predating the show’s inception, Hannah also educated viewers about the secrets of yachting from interior roles to crew romance. Her candid storylines shed light on both the glamour and challenges of the industry. Hannah brought a sense of authenticity that hooked audiences.
The chief stew paved the way for future cast to open up about taboo topics like mental health, addiction, sexuality, and more. Her vulnerability about anxiety encouraged others like Natasha to do the same. Hannah’s influence as an original cast member is still felt, even with her departure years ago.
What’s Next for Hannah Career-Wise?
Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for Hannah’s career? Here are some possibilities:
- Growing her podcast network – Adding more shows, guests, and content
- Hosting live events – Yacht crew meetups, Bravo fan conventions, book tours
- Launching a book – Memoir, yachting guide, self-help book
- Starring in a yachting or travel TV show – Solo or with Kate
- Growing her social media influence – YouTube channel, TikTok, etc.
- Expanding her training business – More courses, in-person academies
- Collaborating on yachting or hospitality industry projects
- Licensing or creating a line of products – Fashion, luggage, home goods
With her strong personal brand and business savvy, Hannah has endless opportunities to evolve her career beyond yachting and reality TV. Fans are eager to follow her journey into new chapters while still celebrating the chief stew who started it all on Below Deck Mediterranean.
Conclusion
While Hannah Ferrier shone as Below Deck Med’s original chief stew, she has made it clear that phase of her career has ended. She now seems focused on media projects that allow her to work from home and care for her daughter.
Hannah still connects with the yachting community through her podcast and training academy. But day-to-day life as chief stew on charters appears firmly in her past. Her experience and final season dismissal will remain iconic moments in Below Deck history.
That said, fans hold out hope for perhaps a short-term cameo return to provide closure. Hannah’s bond with viewers remains strong, evidenced by the overwhelming support after her firing. Her trademark blend of professionalism, glamour, and humor is irreplaceable.
While new chief stews have stepped in after Hannah’s departure, none can replicate her magical run. She set the gold standard for leadership, style, and grace under fire amid yachting chaos. Hannah’s enduring legacy elevates her to chief stew royalty – no matter what comes next career-wise.
