On the premiere episode of season eight, fans saw Captain Lee Rosbach without his chief stewardess, Kate Chastain, for the first time since season two of Below Deck.

Kate joined the cast of the show back at the start of the second season, working side-by-side with Captain Lee. The two became very close and developed a friendship and a great working relationship. While they are no longer working together, Kate will always hold a special place in Captain Lee's heart. So much so that he even found it hard to adjust to not having Kate as his chief stewardess.

Related: Below Deck: Get To Know Eddie Lucas' Job, Instagram, Background & More

Captain Lee revealed in an interview with In Touch Weekly that he felt a bit nervous going into season eight without Kate. “[I was] a little anxious because I hadn’t met my new chief stew yet,” he admitted. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get. And with Kate, I knew what I had and I knew I could count on her. She was my right hand that’s [now] gone. So you’re a little apprehensive, a little anxious.” Similar to any job, it can be difficult to adjust to not having someone you worked with for years there by your side. Kate announced her exit from the show back in February, revealing she wanted to move on from yachting and find a land-based job. It did not take long for Kate to find a new role, as she is now one of the four co-hosts of Bravo's Chat Room alongside Gizelle Bryant, Porsha Williams, and Hannah Berner.

Kate Chastain looking at something off camera on Below Deck

In the premiere episode of season eight of Below Deck, fans were introduced to the new chief stewardess, Francesca Rubi, plus an entire crew of new faces. The only familiar face some may remember is bosun Eddie Lucas, who has not appeared on the show since season three. “It’s been a long time since I’ve walked in where just everybody was brand new,” Captain Lee admitted. “Even Eddie [Lucas] was brand new to a certain degree because he and I hadn’t worked together in five years.” It can be difficult to adjust to working with a whole new crew of people, but if can anyone can figure it out, it's Captain Lee. The crew was even introduced to the new chef, Rachel Hargrove, who actually got Kate's stamp of approval. She revealed in an Instagram Live back in October that Rachel is intelligent, funny, and a very talented chef. Even Captain Lee agreed with this sentiment, admitting that he enjoys her sense of humor.

Even though Captain Lee had to lose Kate, his right-hand woman, he seems to be adjusting well to the new crew members. Fans will just have to wait and see if Lee and his new crew really do work well together.

Next: Below Deck Season 8: Everything To Know About The New Crew

Below Deck airs Mondays at 9 pm ET on Bravo.

Sources: In Touch Weekly