‘Below Deck’ Captain Kerry’s Yacht Trip Takes Tense Turn As Masked ICE Officers Approach

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Captain Kerry Titherage’s return from the Bahamas reportedly took a stressful turn when engine trouble was followed by an encounter with federal agents. The “Below Deck” star was captaining a yacht owned by an unidentified NBA player when officers approached the vessel off the Florida coast. What followed was an hours-long ordeal involving rough waters, a dispute over when agents could safely board, and a search of the yacht before everyone was allowed to continue.

Captain Kerry’s Bahamas Trip Reportedly Ends With Engine Trouble

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According to Page Six, Titherage had just finished captaining a nine-day trip in the Bahamas and was bringing the yacht back to Miami when one of its four engines stopped working. The situation reportedly became more difficult about 10 miles off the Florida coast, when a second engine failed.

With two engines down and the water growing rougher, the Bravo captain called TowBoatUS for assistance. But the next boats to approach reportedly belonged to federal authorities.

The outlet’s sources said two vessels arrived, one operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the other by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. One reportedly carried three or four agents, while the other held seven or eight masked officers.

‘Below Deck’ Star Reportedly Refuses To Slow Down Over Safety Concerns

The encounter allegedly grew tense when agents instructed Titherage to reduce his speed and let them board.

According to the outlet, the captain refused at that point because he believed slowing down in the rough conditions would put the yacht in danger. Titherage has more than 30 years of experience working on boats, but this situation came with more than the usual demands of getting passengers back to shore.

With mechanical problems already complicating the return trip, he reportedly continued navigating while the federal vessels followed. Sources told Page Six that the boats stayed behind the yacht for approximately two hours before Titherage was able to slow down safely. Agents then boarded the vessel.

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Agents Allegedly Search Yacht And Scrutinize Passenger’s Visa

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Once aboard, federal agents reportedly searched the yacht for contraband and checked the passengers’ passports. According to Page Six, officers spent about an hour examining the visa of a female foreign national traveling on the vessel.

The report did not specify her nationality or identify a particular issue with her documents.

Agents ultimately allowed the yacht to land, bringing the encounter to an end. A representative for Titherage acknowledged the incident in a brief statement to the outlet, saying, “We are glad the situation didn’t escalate and that everyone left safely.”

The NBA player who owns the yacht was not identified, and it is unknown whether the owner was aboard.

Reported Encounter Comes Amid Scrutiny Of Immigration Enforcement

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The reported incident comes as immigration enforcement tactics face broader scrutiny. In July, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report examining more than 1,200 immigration enforcement incidents across eight states during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term.

According to the organization, more than 400 of the incidents it reviewed involved misconduct by immigration agents. The report raised concerns about civil rights violations and called for changes to the immigration system. American Civil Liberties Union

Captain Kerry Is Familiar With Pressure At The Helm

Bravo viewers first met Titherage on “Below Deck Adventure” in 2022, before he stepped into one of the franchise’s most recognizable roles. He took over from longtime “Below Deck” captain Lee Rosbach in 2024 and has continued leading the flagship series.

The job regularly puts him in charge of demanding charters, crew conflicts, and the safety of everyone aboard. This reported return from the Bahamas, however, brought a different kind of pressure.

His representative’s statement offered no further details about the agents’ search or the disagreement at sea.