Aesha Scott has officially set sail on the next chapter in her life.
After the beloved Chief Stew was noticeably absent from Below Deck Down Under's season three trailer, Captain Jason Chambers is sharing insight into the former yachtie's decision to not return Down Under after appearing alongside Captain Sandy Yawn on the most recent season of Below Deck Mediterranean.
"I would say Aesha had a story to tell, she had something to finish off," Jason exclusively told E! News correspondent Daryn Carp. "Her and Sandy get on really well. They work well together. Crew leave and she had to go and do that, which is fine. She's always welcome back." (Watch E! News tonight, Feb. 3, at 11 p.m. for more of our exclusive sit-down with Jason.)
And Jason only has fond memories of his former employee.
"She knows the industry, she knows the format," the Australia native continued. "She is definitely a huge help for me and we work so well together."
As whether or not Jason and the New Zealand native—who is currently planning her wedding to fiancé Scott Dobson—have kept in touch since working together for two seasons?
"No, I haven't," the 52-year-old admitted. "I haven't heard from Asia for a while. She's been doing her own thing. I know she's been really busy. I do track her. I know she's had some great success being a little entrepreneur, which is fantastic. I know she's getting engaged and married."
But despite their respective busy schedules, Jason noted, "Our paths will cross soon. We're in total different directions. We used to look forward to working together and we will connect again soon, I'm sure, especially hopefully before BravoCon. But looking forward to seeing her."
As for managing Aesha's replacement a.k.a. new Chief Stew Lara Rigby, who made quite a splash with her coworkers in the teaser for season three, Jason noted she was "very experienced" and demanded a "high standard" from her subordinates.
Her one flaw? As Jason put it, "She doesn't know the format of the show."
"She beats that with her charisma and her happiness and her vibrance, that's what she brings," he explained. "Lara brings in a hell of a lot of experience, but look, when things aren't going your way, we're going to see some drama."
And most of that drama will be between Lara and returning Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, with whom she majorly butted heads with in the trailer.
"I would say a little tense is the right word for it," he noted of their rapport. "Her and Tzarina have to learn to work together."
Below Deck Down Under returns tonight, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. on Bravo. Episodes stream next day on Peacock.
And keep reading to meet the entire season three crew.
See more of Capt. Jason tonight, Feb. 3, at 11 p.m. on E! News.
Captain Jason Chambers
Chief Stew Lara Rigby
Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph
Sous-Chef Anthony Bird: Fired
Bosun Wihan Du Toit: Fired
Deckhand Johnny Arvanitis: Fired
Lead Deckhand Harry Van Vliet
Bosun Nate Salmon
Deckhand Adair Werley
Stew Marina Marcondes
Stew Brianna Duffield de Barros
Sous-Chef Alesia Harris
Deckhand Nicolas Cattelan
(E!, Bravo and Peacock are all part of the NBCUniversal family)