In August 2023, Samantha Suarez, a former makeup artist for both Below Deck and Sailing Yacht, came forward in a Rolling Stone article with claims that production had helped cover up the fact that star Gary King had tried to force himself on her during production of the fourth season of Sailing Yacht in the summer of 2022.

When she got free, he then refused to let her open the door to his room until she received a call from one of the talent managers.

[96] After the incident occurred, Suarez informed production, who then instructed King to sleep on the boat during non-filming days, after originally offering to fire King for his misconduct.

Suarez also alleges that she should not have been put in the position she was regarding King's employment on the show, considering the limited agency and power her position on the show provided.

[97] Two other production members also commented on King's behavior on set for the story, noting that he touched "a female cast member’s butt and continue[d] to touch her inappropriately even though she said, “No,” and told him to stop," as well as grabbing "production crew member's genitals" on two occasions while inebriated.