Gael Cameron and Nathan Gallagher’s boatmance onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 is stronger than ever, but is their relationship merely for the show? The ninth season of the Mediterranean-based yachting show saw Captain Sandy Yawn return to lead the crew as captain. Season franchise alum Aesha Scott also returned toBelow Deck Medafter leadingBelow Deck Down Underin its first two seasons as Chief Stew. The spin-off notablydecreased in popularity after Hannah Ferrier was fired in season 5for having a vape pen and an unprescribed Valium onboard.

Aside from Captain Sandy and Aesha,Below Deck Medseason 9featured a crew of franchise-first yachties. New faces like Elena “Ellie” Dubaich and Brii Muller brought the drama during the charter season as they formed a love triangle with lead deckhand Joe Bradley. Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford was also heavily critiqued by viewers who thought he faked his poor performances in the galley. On the flip side, deckhands Gael and Nathan formed an early connection despite herGael having a mystery boyfriendback home, but there aresigns their boatmance was pushed for the cameras.

Below Deck Mediterranean star Gael Cameron in montage with two poses one smilng and one sultry

Gael & Her Ex Were Always Fighting

Gael was introduced into theBelow Deckuniverse duringBelow Deck Medseason 9. She joined as the only woman a part of the deck crew and quickly bonded with her fellow deckhands, Joe and Nathan. She had an instant connection with the latter yachtie, thoughGael revealed she was in a relationship with another man back home.Despite her relationship status, the deckhands began flirting immediately. They got closer each day as the charter season persisted, and their feelings about one another came out after they went out drinking with the rest of the crew.

While she was getting to know Nathan, her relationship with her now ex-boyfriend was faltering.

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Despite them working on deck together in the past, he struggled with Gael having to focus on work and not be on her phone all day. She revealed on theBelow Deck MedAfter Show that they nearly called their relationship off when Gael got the opportunity to work on the Mustique, but he changed his mind about their status at the last minute.He was not supportive of her workand would often get angry with her over text.

Gael & Nathan Have Been Strong Support Systems For One Another

They Leaned On Each Other Throughout Below Deck Med Season 9

While Gael’s ex was critical of her, Nathan had her back. He broke up with her during dinner with the crew and was visibly upset. Nathan knew not to overstep at the moment but offered his support to Gael. In her confessionals,Gael admitted that her ex hadn’t supported her work on deck, while Nathan did the complete opposite. They developed a mutual level of respect that went far beyond their working relationship. When Nathan began acting erratic during a night out, he revealed he was mourning the recent loss of a friend.

No one else in the cast had any inkling he was navigating a recent death, but he felt comfortable enough to disclose that information with the deckhand and Chief Stew. They got into a miniature scuffle right before he told Gael that news, and she immediately put their differences aside and offered her support at that difficult moment. He felt lonely working far from home when he learned of his friend’s passing, andwhile Gael couldn’t rectify the situation, she was there for him through a difficult moment in his life.

below deck med montage of Nathan Gallager looking happy and serious with a purple and blue background and a neon square

Gael & Nathan’s Date Felt Rushed For The Show

They Went On A Date Almost Immediately After Her Breakup

After Gael and her ex broke up, her boatmance with Nathan made quick strides. The deckhand planned an indoor rock climbing excursion for the duo, andGael and Nathan went on their first official dateduring crew off-time. They seemed to have a delightful time together, but something about the scene felt forced. Nathan specificallyasked Captain Sandy if he and Gael could step away from the Mustique for their date, and she gleefully permitted themto leave.

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The crew spends the majority of their time working on the superyachts or going out as a group.It was odd Nathan and Gael got special permission to allocate time for their date.Below Deckproduction may have wanted to squeeze in one-on-one time between the deckhands to exacerbate their connection for the sake of the show. Their romance was endearing, but it felt like they were pressured into a date soon after Gael’s breakup. It’s rare for crew members to be allowed to step away from their jobs, especially for romantic purposes.

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Gael & Nathan’s Boatmance Is Real, But It May Have Been Pushed For Storyline Purposes

Their Connection Is Real Despite The Show

Gael and Nathan have a real connection. Their boatmance isn’t a sham to embellish the storyline ofBelow Deck Medseason 9; however, production may have a hand in facilitating their on-screen romance. It may have been Nathan’s idea to take Gael on a date, orthe idea could have been prompted by production.Their date was a fun inclusion to the show, though it wasn’t necessary to paint a picture of the crew’s dynamics. The moment felt like producers were jumping at the chance to further Gael and Nathan’s boatmance despite recently breaking up with her ex.

“Yes, I wanted to go. But, internally, I was still just out of a relationship, and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is moving really fast.'”

Gael herself admitted their boatmance was moving quickly, considering she’d just gotten out of another relationship. Nonetheless, they couldn’t fight their connection, and the show’s production team seemingly couldn’t fight themselves from focusing the narrative on the deckhands. The status of their relationship afterBelow Deck Medseason 9 is unconfirmed, but with the end of the season nearing, fans will likely find out if Gael and Nathan lasted after the show wrapped.

Gael and Nathan’s boatmanceonBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 enticed viewers. After breaking things off with her ex-boyfriend, their boatmance began to blossom, and the deckhands became crucial support systems for one another. The show’s production may have pushed their relationship for storyline purposes, but they clearly care about each other.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Cast

Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.