In the high-stakes world of yachting reality TV, where drama unfolds on azure seas and under relentless cameras, Captain Kerry Titheradge has always been the steady hand at the helm. But off the deck, his personal life has weathered its own storms. In an exclusive interview that peels back the layers of his public persona, the 50-year-old Below Deck star has confirmed his split from long-term girlfriend Gönül Bihan after nearly six years together. The revelation comes as a gut punch to fans who watched him gush about her as “the love of my life” at BravoCon 2023, only to see the relationship unravel in a decision he describes as pulling the “ripcord.”

Titheradge’s confirmation arrived during a candid conversation with The Daily Mail, where he opened up about the emotional toll the breakup took on him, especially during BravoCon 2025 in November. “I was very much going through making a big decision, you know? Been together for, would have been six years in January, and you put all the effort into a relationship, and then you get to a point, you’ve got to pull the ripcord,” he shared, his words heavy with the weight of reflection. The captain admitted that the turmoil left him distracted and not fully present at the fan event, where he typically shines as a charismatic leader. “There was a lot of thinking about that during BravoCon, trying to decide, you know, the future of the relationship, and yeah, my head was there for the most part,” he confessed. “I didn’t do a lot of stuff on the panels this year and I was going through some things in my relationships, so I wasn’t on point. I wasn’t everything I could have been.”

The relationship with Bihan predated Titheradge’s rise to fame on Below Deck, beginning before he joined the show in 2022. For years, it seemed like a beacon of stability in his life—a partnership that grounded him amid the chaos of reality TV. At BravoCon 2023, he publicly declared her “the love of my life,” a moment that endeared him to fans as a romantic at heart. Yet, like many long-term relationships, it reached a crossroads where effort alone couldn’t bridge the gap. Titheradge’s metaphor of the ripcord—evoking the emergency release of a parachute—speaks to the abruptness and finality of the choice, a decision made after exhaustive attempts to make it work. While he didn’t delve into specifics about what led to the split, his honesty about the internal struggle resonates deeply, painting a picture of a man who values commitment but recognizes when it’s time to let go.

This personal revelation comes at a pivotal time for Titheradge, whose career on Below Deck has positioned him as one of the franchise’s most respected captains. Born in Australia and now based in the U.S., he began his maritime journey at just 18, starting with parasailing vessels before progressing to commercial tugs, landing barges, dredges, ferries, and water taxis. By 2004, he had entered the luxury yachting world, where his no-nonsense leadership style earned him a reputation for excellence. Today, he runs Yachting Concepts, a successful yacht management company that keeps him at the forefront of the industry even off-camera.

Joining Below Deck in 2022, Titheradge quickly became a fan favorite for his “firm but fair” approach. “I’m very firm but fair… But when someone takes my kindness for weakness, then F around and find out,” he explained in the interview. “So, for those people that want to put in and work hard and want to be there, I’m 100% behind you. If you stumble, which we all do. We all stumble. I’ve stumbled many times myself, and I’ll stumble a few more times after. I’m there for you. But if you’re not there for the right reasons, I don’t have time for you.” This philosophy has guided him through turbulent seasons, where crew dynamics often erupt into conflict. The franchise, known for its mix of opulent charters and behind-the-scenes drama, has seen its share of scandals—and Titheradge has been at the center of addressing them head-on.

One of the most notorious incidents occurred in 2023 on Below Deck: Down Under, where crew members Luke Jones and Laura Bileskalne were fired for sexual misconduct. Jones entered a female colleague’s bed without consent, while Bileskalne attempted a non-consensual massage on another. Titheradge, emphasizing zero tolerance, stepped in decisively. “It’s a horrible situation for any of us to be in. I hold all my crew, including the film crew, to be accountable to step in in a situation like that… So absolutely, I have zero tolerance for sexual harassment, and intimidation, bullying,” he stated firmly. His actions not only protected his team but also set a standard for the show, highlighting the importance of consent and respect in high-pressure environments.

Another scandal unfolded on Below Deck Adventure, involving crew member Kyle Dickard, accused of bullying and threatening violence. Titheradge recounted noticing Dickard pressuring a female crew member and intervened immediately. “I remember talking to one of the girls because he was getting a bit too, you know, putting pressure on one of the girls a lot, a bit, and I asked her how she felt about it, and she said, ‘I can handle it’ and I’m like, ‘That is not the answer.’ We’re not there to handle these things… You shouldn’t feel like you should have to handle it… We’re not in the 1940s or 50s, right, are we?… We’re at a place where we’re all equal, we all deserve respect,” he explained. In one incident, Dickard suggested a “tussle” over a bathroom dispute and kissed steward Kasie Faddah on the cheek during an excursion, making her uncomfortable despite her assurances. Titheradge’s confessional captured his stance: “The guests, if they want us to be part of their fun, that’s great, but there’s a line. Kyle crossed the line. A woman should never be put in a position she’s uncomfortable with. And doing stuff in front of people makes them more uncomfortable, and they’re more likely to tolerate it ’cause they don’t wanna create a scene. That’s a horrible place to put somebody.” Dickard resigned shortly after, underscoring Titheradge’s commitment to a safe, equitable workspace.

These experiences have shaped Titheradge not just as a captain but as a person. His personal life has been marked by profound challenges, including a devastating divorce from ex-wife Jennifer, with whom he shares two children. The split plunged him into a “very deep depression,” a period he describes as a crossroads. “I think the biggest thing that changed it for me was when I went through a divorce with my ex-wife… It put me into a very deep depression… I had a choice to go left or right. One was go left, drink and be a victim, and drink my sorrows away, or turn right and go have a good look at myself, get an idea of what my part of it was, get to know who I really am. And go from there and have more compassion for other people. So, that’s what really changed it,” he revealed. This self-reflection transformed him, fostering empathy that he brings to his leadership on Below Deck.

The show itself has been a mirror for Titheradge. “I’m lucky enough to have a vehicle that’s recording me and showing me how I really am, not how I think I am. And that is so awesome!” he said, crediting the on-camera experience for personal growth. His advocacy extends beyond the deck; he supports charities like GDS Husky Rescue, Wounded Warriors, Blue Jacket Fashion Show, Furry Friends, and anti-bullying initiatives, the latter inspired by his own childhood experiences with bullying. “That’s one of the big reasons that I’ve really stayed in the show, it’s given me this platform to shine it on things that are way bigger than me,” he noted.

Looking ahead, Titheradge is channeling his experiences into new ventures. His upcoming podcast, Charting The Course, will focus on mental health, mentorship, and travel—topics close to his heart. “We are in an industry where there’s attractive people… There’s a lot of flirting going on in both directions, but if you feel like someone has invaded your space, and they’re not welcome. And you let them know that and they continue, we have a problem… We’re all human, we all make mistakes, we all misread signals. And we should all not be in fear that we can’t compliment the other person, but if you’re made to feel uncomfortable… No,” he emphasized, highlighting the nuanced balance of human interactions he plans to explore.

With Below Deck renewed for Season 13, Below Deck Mediterranean for Season 11, and Below Deck: Down Under for Season 4 (premiering February 2, 2026), Titheradge’s star continues to rise. Yet his recent breakup reminds us that behind the captain’s uniform is a man navigating life’s unpredictable waters. From the depths of depression to the heights of TV fame, his story stimulates reflection: How do we pull the ripcord when needed? How do we foster respect in our own “crews”? Titheradge’s honesty invites us to examine our relationships, boundaries, and growth.

In a world of scripted drama, his real-life journey is the most compelling voyage of all—one of resilience, compassion, and the courage to chart a new course.