Former Below Deck Mediterranean bosun Ruan Irving has broken his silence and insisted that he didn’t fake his working documents.
The first episode of Below Deck Mediterranean season eight saw Ruan become the fastest crew member in history to be booted off the ship. Captain Sandy Yawn decided to leave the South African at the Genoa port when the photo on his yachtmaster paperwork’s was someone else.
Shortly after the debacle, Ruan found out that his close friend had tragically died, and called Captain Sandy and quit the season.
The former bosun has now taken to Instagram to explain what actually went down with his paperwork.
“The yacht masters that was the main issue, it was through a guy that worked at the school I had done my yacht masters 5 years or so ago with who I contacted and asked to extend my expiry date because of the show etc!” He began.
“I paid a fee and I got sent a back and front copy of the yacht masters with [a] new expiry date. The show started and then MCA discovered if you scan the barcode it comes up with someone else’s name and picture. Was I scammed? Most probably!! Courses were taken, Guy got paid and I ended up with a f**ked license. Period!”
What about Ruan’s other inadequate documents?
While the mismatched photo was certainly the biggest red flag when it came to Ruan’s license, he didn’t have original copies of his other boating documents, either.
Boaties are required to carry original copies of their licenses when working on superyachts, but Ruan only bought along copies of certified copies.
He said that the real copies do exist and that he sent a video of them to his ex-employers.
“then the certificate issue, all my original hard copies were in South Africa. I never travel with them that’s why I get certified copies made!
“Now the show had copies of certified copies because I sent them copies as requested ( nobody ever asked for the originals till MCA came on board ) after the show I flew to Cape Town and I got my certificates and sent the show a video with all originals.”
Stream Below Deck Mediterranean season 8 on Hayu.
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