Why Gary King Wasn’t Around for the Start of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4

Captain Glenn Shephard kicked off the charter season with a bang on the April 10 premiere of Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4, but one notable person was missing from Parsifal III when the crew arrived: First Mate Gary King.

Fellow returners Daisy Kelliher and Colin MacRae were the first crew members to greet Glenn, and the captain soon explained why Gary wasn't going to make it to Sardinia on Day one.

"So, Gary's got COVID," Captain Glenn explained in an interview on the Season 4 premiere. "It's like... pretty much the worst thing that could happen. Every day I've been hopeful that he's going to have a negative test, but he keeps testing positive."

Because the First Mate kept receiving positive tests, the Canadian captain wasn't sure yet of what Gary's fate would be on Parsifal III. He referred to the situation as a "tough one."

"I don't know when he's coming," Captain Glenn admitted. "It sucks massively."

Glenn's statement was proven accurate when the deckhands tried to get the vessel ready for the charter guests without anyone around to guide them. 

"We are a brand new deck crew, and we are supposed to pick up charter tomorrow without our boss on board. We're not ready," South Carolina native Chase Lemacks said on the debut episode. "I'm thinking we're kind of f----d."

Though Gary wasn't physically on the sailing yacht to help the deck team ahead of the start of the Season 4 charter season, he did appear virtually on the premiere.

While FaceTiming Captain Glenn, Gary said that he was "feeling fine" physically, but that he wished he could be on the boat to help out.

"I feel really bad not being there," he added. He called Glenn again on the morning of the first charter to confirm that he had, yet again, tested positive for COVID.  

Gary wasn't around to welcome the new crew members to Parsifal III, but he will eventually make it on the boat, as the Season 4 trailer confirms. Once Gary does arrive, he'll be engaging in some steamy boatmances.

"My intention is not to come and hook up with a chick. I'm here to make money, have a good season, and give guests a good experience," he said in the trailer, which turns out to be partly true, as he ends up engaging in more than just one makeout. 

As for his connection with Daisy, which started when the two kissed in the hot tub on Season 3, that will also become complicated. In the trailer, Daisy makes out with Colin, and Gary wonders if she's "spitefully hooking up" with his best friend to make him jealous.

Gary's hookups and his love triangle with Colin and Daisy will begin once he arrives on the boat.

When will Gary make it on board? You'll have to keep tuning in to Below Deck Sailing Yacht find out.

Watch Below Deck Sailing Yacht on Peacock and the Bravo app.