The murder of Paige Bell Has Shattered the Superyacht Illusion, Now the Industry Must Act

Behind the glitz and glamour of the superyacht lifestyle, a tragic reality has come to light — one that South Africans are feeling deeply following the murder of 20-year-old Paige Bell.

The Durban-born stewardess, a former Hillcrest High School student, was brutally killed just days before her 21st birthday. She was found dead in the engine room of the yacht where she worked, her throat slit, with signs of a struggle.

A Mexican national and fellow crew member, Brigido Munoz, has been arrested and appeared in court for her murder.

As news of Paige’s death spread, a wave of grief, anger, and renewed calls for change surged across the global yachting community. While many were shocked, others working behind the scenes in the industry say they’ve been bracing for a tragedy like this for years.

“This Wasn’t a Question of If, But When”

Sandra Jordaan, a respected voice in the yachting world and founder of The Yacht Purser, said the loss of Paige Bell hit close to home — not only because she was a young South African, but because it exposed how little progress has been made in protecting crew members at sea.

“As a mother, the pain is unimaginable. As a woman, I am angry. As an activist, I am not surprised,” said Jordaan.

She’s been working with advocacy groups like the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) Welfare Committee, ISWAN, Yacht Crew Help and Nautilus to make the industry safer. But despite years of effort, Jordaan says they’re still battling resistance from yachts and management companies when it comes to implementing basic safety and accountability protocols.

“We are no closer to ensuring crew aren’t exposed to unsafe working conditions,” she said.

A Call for Background Checks and Accountability

In response to the tragedy, renewed attention has turned to a long-standing petition started by Jess Frost of Crew Folio, which calls for mandatory criminal background checks for all superyacht crew. The petition has been largely ignored by industry stakeholders — until now.

“Meaningful change starts with all of us,” Jordaan urged. “Let’s not wait for another catastrophic incident to happen.”

She also encouraged crew members in distress to contact Yacht Crew Help, an international lifeline offering confidential support.

Industry Insiders Demand Change

Erica Lay, founder of international crew agency EL CREW CO, echoed the sentiment that Paige’s death has rocked the yachting world.

With nearly two decades of experience, Lay said the industry is finally starting to hear voices speaking out about sexual harassment and assault, but progress remains painfully slow.

“Just a couple of weeks ago, I co-hosted a webinar with Angela Wallace, Andrew Roch, and Emma Kate Ross to educate people on what constitutes abuse, how to report it, and how senior crew can support victims,” Lay shared.

She stressed that education, accountability, and proper reporting structures are critical if the superyacht world is to become a safer space for all.

A South African Story with Global Implications

Paige Bell’s journey from Durban to the superyacht scene was meant to be one of adventure and opportunity. Instead, her life was cut short in a space that promised prestige, but delivered danger.

Her story has sparked an industry reckoning — one that South Africans are watching closely, especially in a country where gender-based violence remains a national crisis.

In the wake of her death, the question isn’t whether the yachting industry can continue as normal. It’s whether it can afford not to change.

Source:Cape Times

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