Here's Why Eddie Lucas Got Choked Up at the End of Below Deck Season 8

Season 8 of Below Deck may have come to an abrupt end in the February 15 episode, but not before Captain Lee Rosbach and Eddie Lucas shared one last touching moment of the charter season.

As Eddie got ready to disembark My Seanna early after the last two groups of charter guests unexpectedly cancelled, he met with Captain Lee in the wheelhouse to say his goodbyes. The Below Deck boss surprised the bosun with new epaulets featuring three stripes to signify his first officer ranking after earning his 1600-ton license.

Eddie reflected more on this special moment with Captain Lee in the Below Deck After Show clip, above, exclusive to Bravo Insider. "It meant a lot to me," he shared. "It kind of choked me up a little bit."

The bosun went on to explain why receiving those stripes from Captain Lee made him emotional, especially after what he described as "really hitting rock bottom" following Season  3 of Below Deck.

As for Captain Lee, the decision to give Eddie his first officer stripes was clear. "Trust me when I tell you Eddie earned his stripes," Captain Lee said in the Below Deck After Show. "And then some."

Eddie wasn't the only My Seanna crew member to receive a parting gift as the charter season came to a close. Chief stew Francesca Rubi also gave Captain Lee a shammy signed by the whole crew as she bid him a fond farewell. Sign up to be a Bravo Insider, above, to hear why that shammy was more than just something to remember the season by for Captain Lee.

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