So, Did João Franco Really Become a Captain After Below Deck Med Season 4?

The end of this charter season of Below Deck Mediterranean was especially bittersweet for João Franco. Though he was sad to say goodbye to his fellow Sirocco crew members, especially Captain Sandy Yawn, the bosun couldn't wait to set sail for his new captain gig. 

And now we have proof that all of João's nautical dreams really did come true after Season 4 of Below Deck Med. João recently shared a bunch of photos on Instagram of that captain job we saw him land in the Below Deck Med Season 4 finale. "I left Zimbabwe with nothing but a backpack, a few gold coins and hope... 3 years later, my first charter as a captain on a 30m (100ft) vessel was with [Club Yacht Charter] 5 days after the show ended," João shared in the post published on October 2. "It was incredible and also f&@king scary!!!!"

One of João's fellow Below Deck Med crew members even came to see the new captain at work. "I had Jack [Stirrup] visit me and 'test the equipment,'" João said.

Below Deck Med alum Bobby Giancola, who has also become a captain, previously congratulated João on his new gig in November 2018.

As much as João's job may look like something out of a music video (see below), he has also shown that even the boss has to put in some elbow grease like the rest of the crew (also see below). "Captain= 10% driving, 90% management, and 100% leading by example. Dusty, sweaty and getting down and dirty in a shipyard, trying to keep up with with our project! Late hours, hard labour and working on the weekends!" João captioned one photo of him on the job in June. "As [Ashton Pienaar] said, they make us strong back home."

João's plans for the future include getting his OOW license, which he is currently working on, and appearing at events. "I have so many people to thank! So here is One Big THANK YOU!!! I hope to see a few fans at the charity events and would love to meet a few die hard fans," he said in the October 2 post. "Who knows what the future will bring. Whatever it is, you’ll be sure to find it posted on [Instagram]."

The Below Deck Med yachtie reflected on what the future holds for his career in yachting during an interview with The Daily Dish in July. “I look for any opportunity that comes,” he said. “I very much felt like every time I’ve had an open ear for something and something has come my way, I’ve been open to the opportunity. Yachting is, I love it, I enjoy it, it’s very stressful, but it all depends on security. It all depends on if I get offered something amazing.”

João showed his gratitude to Captain Sandy for helping him achieve success in the yachting industry on Twitter earlier this week. "It was you who believed in me and it is you that I have to thank!" he tweeted. "All my respect and appreciation goes to you thank you @CaptSandyYawn."

Watch Captain Sandy dish more on her deck crew in the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4 After Show, above.

Try not to tear up while watching Captain Sandy and João's emotional farewell in the season finale, below. 

See Captain Sandy Yawn's Tearful Goodbye to João Franco