Latest news with #PaigeBell
IOL News
18 hours ago
- IOL News
Paige Bell's death highlights safety concerns in the superyacht industry
Paige Bell, a promising young stewardess, whose tragic murder has ignited urgent discussions about safety and accountability in the superyacht industry. Image: Sweet Emocean The tragic murder of stewardess Paige Bell has cast a harsh light on the hidden dangers within the superyacht industry, raising urgent concerns about the safety of crew members in this seemingly glamorous world. Days before her 21st birthday, the former Hillcrest High School student from Durban was found deceased on July 3 in the engine room of the yacht, where she was stationed. Her throat was slit, with signs of a struggle. Mexican national Brigido Munoz, who worked on the yacht with Bell, was arrested for her murder and has appeared in court. Sandra Jordaan of The Yacht Purser, who has worked behind the scenes to make yachting a safer and more accountable space for all, said the news of Bell's death has been felt across the industry. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Jordaan stated that although she did not know her personally, many in the community did. 'As a mother, the pain is unimaginable; as a woman, I am angry. As an activist who has been working behind the scenes to make the yachting industry a safer space, I am not surprised. This was not a question of if, but when,' she said. Jordaan said through efforts alongside the PYA Welfare Committee, ISWAN, Yacht Crew Help, and Nautilus, they have pushed for meaningful change. However, Jordaan stated that they are no closer to ensuring that crew are not subjected to unsafe working conditions. 'We continue to face resistance from yachts and management companies,' she said. Despite this, Jordaan stated that she remains steadfast in her commitment to improving safety, accountability, and support for all crew members. She appealed for urgent support in signing a petition that was started over two years ago by Jess Frost at Crew Folio, calling for mandatory criminal background checks for all yacht crew members. 'Meaningful change starts with all of us. Let's not wait for another catastrophic incident to happen,' she said, adding that those looking for urgent support should contact Yacht Crew Help. Erica Lay, owner and director of EL CREW CO international crew agency, echoed Jordaan's sentiments that the entire industry is devastated about this tragic loss. With 17 years of experience as a crew agent, Lay noted that the superyacht industry is seeing many individuals vocally addressing sexual harassment and assault. 'Just a couple of weeks ago, I co-hosted a webinar with like-minded individuals,' she said, naming Angela Wallace, Andrew Roch, and Emma Kate Ross as her fellow hosts. Lay said the aim of the webinar was to educate everyone involved on what constitutes abuse or assault, how to report it, and also, very importantly, how the senior crew and management can support any victim in this situation. 'Our industry should be safe for everyone, and we are striving to make it so,' she stated. This tragic incident has sparked widespread reactions of anger and support from across the country and abroad, with some even coming forward to share their experience and shine a spotlight on the dark side of the industry. Safety within the yachting industry remains a recurring issue, with one woman highlighting these dangers on a Facebook post about superyachts. 'I speak from experience. I served as interior manager for nine years. I survived my own predator,' she said. She said she had been assaulted and held captive for a few days, several years ago, by a colleague inside a crew house. 'He wasn't my partner; he wanted to be, and when I denied him, his rage turned violent.' She said that after she escaped, she went to the authorities, and he was served with a three-year restraining order. 'He lost that job but stayed in the industry.' Also commenting on Facebook, a man said he worked on three different vessels where there were instances of domestic violence between crew members. 'On each occasion, the incident was suppressed by the captain who was afraid of being blamed because he didn't pay attention to the obvious warnings and didn't want to lose his job,' he said. The man said he knew two girls that committed suicide after being bullied and two girls that were assaulted. 'Nothing was ever done about it. No one ever addressed it after the initial shock. It is disgusting that there is a lack of accountability. Captains and owners think they are infallible,' he said. He said there is a 'secret code' of not naming names and identities of vessels that ignore crew-on-crew violence and bullying. 'Call them out, hold them accountable. If captains want to be the ultimate law on board, then hold them to it,' he said.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside the REAL world of 'yachties' you DON'T see on Below Deck: After Bahamas superyacht 'murder', insider warns staff often face sex attacks and danger... and hit reality show is only making things worse
The world of luxury superyachts appears to many outsiders to be glamorous, booze-fuelled and one which gives youngsters the chance to earn some cash while safely travelling the world. But the truth of what goes on between staff and wealthy clients is often darker than the public know, insiders say, kept under wraps by NDAs and threats of unemployment in a sector popularised by reality show Below Deck and social media. The harrowing death of 'golden girl' crew member Paige Bell earlier this month on board a 43-metre vessel in the Bahamas sent shockwaves across the global, yet tight-knit industry. For many women staffing some of the world's most expensive yachts, it brought the troubling daily realities of a life on the sea to the surface. 'When something like this happens that can't be swept under the rug, people say "wait, what is going on?"' Sandra Jordaan, a respected former crew member and coach, told the Mail. She described how within the industry, some yachts are known for their 'toxic' culture, with male and female crew members falling victim to sexual harassment and bullying from both other staff and clients. 'Below Deck hasn't done the yachting industry any favours,' Sandra said. 'In terms of safety, we don't want to attract people who just want the lifestyle, who think "Okay, I'll work on a yacht. I'm going to sit in the jacuzzi, drink on the deck. It's not all like that, it's one of the hardest jobs out there.' Maritime charity ISWAN's Yacht Crew Help helpline reported a spike in violence and abuse on superyachts in recent years, with an 125 per cent increase in reports in 2023. The annual report for last year, out later this month, is expected to be similarly dismal. The high-pressured environment on superyachts, which sees staff share work in close proximity and share sleeping quarters, often lead to tensions running high between staff and professional boundaries being crossed. ''If you think about land-based industry people can go to work and leave work, they don't have to stay at work. On a yacht you're stuck, you can't leave,' Sandra said. 'Plus, there is an inherent danger living among people that you don't know. 'You don't have any control of the crew members, especially as a junior crew member, and you don't have control over who you share a cabin with.' Sexual harassment and assault are described as 'pervasive' issues by industry experts, with a fear among many female staff that speaking out will see them 'blacklisted'. A crew member for 10 years and now a leading trainer with her firm The Yacht Purser, Sandra has supported multiple women who have suffered sexual assault at work and is campaigning to shed light on the issue. Wealthy clients, she says, often have a sense of entitlement when they board their boats, which can in some instances create a 'toxic' environment for staff. 'We see a lot of debauchery and partying,' Sandra said. 'Sometimes they try to involve staff, who are essentially taught that you are not allowed to say no the guests,' she added. 'What often happens is that the victims are plied with alcohol and or drugs, and so it becomes a matter of "well, you were drunk, or you were under the influence, and therefore it's your fault."' When the situation crosses a line, Sandra said, 'people don't know about it because we can't talk about it because crew NDAs. 'There's an imbalance of power. Wealthy yacht owners have lawyers on standby, it's really easy for them to hide behind layers of corporate protection. 'I've had a situation where a guest - the yacht owner's brother - grabbed one of our stewardesses and gave her a kiss. As a senior crew member I stepped in and said "no, absolutely not."' Super wealthy clients often feel protected from repercussions due to the lack of recourse precariously employed staff have to take them on, she added. 'Yachts often hop from country to country, you're at sea for long periods of time. 'They cover so many different jurisdictions, the flag, port, the management company is in a different location, your contract is usually with a completely separate company. 'So when things go wrong, crew don't know where to turn. Often the safest thing is for them to just get off the vessel.' Sandra said that unlike in merchant shipping, which is run by major companies, 'there is no HR department in yachting.' 'It's run by private individuals. It's almost like an extension of their estate, how they do things in their house,' she said. 'If you look at the traditional hierarchies on board, it's a very patriarchal. There's the captain, then management companies are often run and owned by men, and they don't want to hear about it.' She described how, as a Chief Stewardess, she was in a situation herself where a charter guest tried to force her to drink alcohol with him. 'I point-blank refused. I said no, I don't feel comfortable, I don't feel safe, and I had to call the captain to intervene.' She said while her captain was supportive, far too many are failing to ensure the safety of their crew. 'When incidents are reported they have to be thoroughly investigated, a lot of captains lack the resources and skill to actually sit down and figure out what happened.' She said sometimes this 'toxic' guest behaviour translates to staff, and that some yachts are known for being 'party' boats. 'As a crew member it is very difficult to know when you're joining a yacht whether it's a good yacht or a bad yacht, you have no idea. Often you've been sold something that is not what you thought it was. 'It's very difficult once you've got to another country, you're stuck there and how do you get off. And then your livelihood is threatened. 'Often they will say "don't speak up" or "don't say anything otherwise we're not going to give you a reference." 'If you report something you get labelled as 'bad', you get 'blacklisted'. It's very difficult for people to come forward, and even when they do, they sometimes have been so traumatised, they don't want to retraumatise themselves, it's not worth the effort.' Jessie Frost, who worked for a decade on yachts and is now director of recruitment UK firm Crewfolio, said that 'too many crew are still being harmed onboard'. She started a petition two years ago calling for criminal background checks to be made a legal requirement for all seafarers, with the letter gaining momentum following news of Paige's death. 'It was only when I moved into crew recruitment that I began to see the industry from a broader perspective - and frankly, the lack of safeguarding shocked me,' she wrote for industry magazine Dockwalk. 'Sadly, themes of bullying, harassment, sexual and physical violence, theft and even murder surface year after year - often quietly accepted, normalised, or brushed aside. 'There are repeat offenders in our industry who are known and named, yet they continue to find work - because there's always someone unaware of their past who unknowingly gives them another opportunity.' A recent case in Palm Beach, Florida, sparked outrage across the yachting community and prompted more calls for stringent background checks. Boat Captain James Robert Magruder attempted to return to helming luxury yachts despite being on a five-year probation for a felony battery charge. 'This case reignites growing concern over the lack of consistent screening in the yachting industry,' a post by popular industry broadcaster Yachting International Radio read. 'How is it that individuals with documented histories of violence are still entrusted with roles involving crew leadership and guest safety?' Magruder was accused of sexually battering a woman he went on a date with before pleading guilty to the lesser charge of battery, which saw him spared a lengthy jail term. He also had a previous conviction for harassing an ex-girlfriend and had been arrested multiple times between 2017 and 2019 - after which he worked as a Boat Captain in the Florida area. Sandra said the case, among many others, proved that calls for background checks do not go far enough - with individual employers still willing to hire people with criminal pasts. Angelika Grigorjeva, a chief stewardess from Cornwall who documents her life on board a yacht in Barcelona for thousands of followers, is among many who have shared their fears about crew safety protocols in recent days. 'The industry is not there yet with background checks and it should[n't] take a Paige to get there...' she said in an Instagram post responding to the South African crew member's death. 'This is the industry where you're told to "suck it up" and " grow a thick skin" and it's not exactly the industry where you can openly talk about your concerns. Describing her experience starting out in the industry she added: 'It literally could have been any of your friend[s] that you know. 'It's actually so shocking when you think about it. You think the due dilligence has been done, It hasn't. You actually don't know who you're working with. People could have criminal records, offended, assaulted... We need to do better.' Sandra, who has long worked to help victims access support, says she now refuses to stay silent. 'I'm not afraid to speak up about this stuff because it's the truth. This is what is happening,' she said. Describing her feelings on fellow South African yachtie Paige, who was due to turn 21 on July 14, she said: 'As a mother, the pain is unimaginable. As a woman, I am angry. As an activist who has been working behind the scenes to make the yachting industry a safer space, I am not surprised. 'This was not a question of if, but a question of when.' If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed, the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network's YachtCrewHelp is free, confidential, multilingual, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provides emotional, wellbeing and practical support to yacht crew and their families of any nationality:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
She Lived the Dream Life Aboard a Yacht — Until a Grisly Discovery in the Engine Room
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island The victim was identified by a local outlet and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell The suspect is a 39-year-old Mexican nationalA 20-year-old South African woman was allegedly killed on board a luxury yacht in the Bahamas. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, officers found a woman 'unresponsive with visible signs of injuries' in the engine room of the vessel shortly after 1 p.m. on July 3, which was docked at Harbour Island. Police said the woman was missing for a short period of time before she was discovered 'with the male suspect present," police wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. Police believe the suspect — a 39-year-old Mexican national — attempted suicide and was "suffering from severe injuries to his arms." A local doctor boarded the vessel and pronounced the woman deceased. The victim was identified by local outlet Our News and her family on Facebook as Paige Bell. 'It is with broken hearts that we share the devastating news that our beautiful Paigey's life was brutally taken from us last night,' the family wrote on July 4. 'As a family, we are doing our best to process this unimaginable loss … We will leave no stone unturned until the guilty is brought to justice. ' Police said the suspect was 'apprehended, cautioned, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.' He was arraigned on Wednesday, July 9 in the Magistrate Court, and charged with murder, police said. According to a GoFundMe page, Bell 'would have celebrated her 21st birthday on July 14th.' 'In honor of Paige, her mother has asked that we all eat red velvet cake (her favorite) on that day and share a photo in remembrance of the beautiful soul she was,' the fundraiser stated.'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went.' Bell had previously worked on the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December 2024. So far, the page has raised more than $42,000. The suspect appeared in court on Wednesday, July 9 and was denied bail, Our News reported. He will return to court on November 20. Read the original article on People
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Murder in the Bahamas: Everything we know about Paige Bell's death
Paige Bell, a 20-year-old KwaZulu-Natal woman was found dead aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas earlier this month Image: Facebook As investigations continue into the events that led up to Paige Bell's death, her family say they are still trying to process what happened to her. Bell, 20, was found dead aboard a luxury yacht in the Bahamas on July 3. Speaking to the Independent on Saturday, her parents confirmed that they were hoping to arrange a cremation and bring Bell's remains back to South Africa soon. IOL reported that Bell's body had been discovered aboard super yacht, Far From It, docked in Harbour Island. According to the preliminary report, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said police were alerted to the scene and once aboard, officers discovered a female unresponsive with visible signs of injuries and a male suffering from severe injuries to his arms. The local doctor visited the scene, examined the victim and pronounced her deceased. The police report stated that as officers investigated further, it was discovered that the victim was missing for a short period before being found unresponsive in the engine room with the male suspect present. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Durban's Paige Bell and the Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz who has been charged with her murder. Image: Facebook Meanwhile, a 40-year-old male was apprehended, and taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment. The accused has since been identified as Brigido Munoz, a Mexican national, who has appeared in court. He is due back in court later this year. According to Daily Mail, Bell previously worked aboard the Motor Yacht Sweet Emocean until December last year. In a touching tribute, the Sweet Emocean crew said they were heartbroken by Bell's passing. "Paige was more than a team mate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went," they said. Bell was due to return home on July 14 to celebrate her 21st birthday with loved ones. Bell's former high school, Hillcrest High School, paid tribute to her in a post, adding that she was a special young lady. IOL
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Durban parents bring home their slain 'baby girl' Paige Bell from the Bahamas
Durbanite Paige Bell was working as a stewardess on a superyacht in the Bahamas when she was murdered on July 3. Image: Sweet Emocean HEARTBROKEN Durban parents Michelle and John Bell are preparing to bring home the body of their 'baby girl' who was murdered in the Bahamas last week. Paige Bell was living the dream; working as a stewardess on a superyacht, surrounded by idyllic beaches and billionaires. Tragically, it ended in a nightmare. Last Thursday the former schoolgirl from Hillcrest High School in Durban was found dead in the engine room of the yacht where she was stationed, just days before her 21st birthday. Her throat was slit and there were signs that she had struggled with her attacker. According to reports it appeared as if Bell may also have been sexually assaulted. Police are currently investigating a homicide and a suicide attempt. Paige Bell with her parents Michelle and John Bell in happier times. Image: Facebook Speaking to the Independent on Saturday via Facebook, her dad John said they would be back home next week. 'We are in the Bahamas arranging a cremation and to bring Paige home. I don't want to comment any further at this stage. We are still trying to process what has happened and grieve our baby girl.' According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bell was on board the superyacht, Far From It, in the waters off Harbour Island, Eleuthera, when she was killed. A 39-year old Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz was arrested and appeared in the magistrate's court on Wednesday. In their initial media release police said that shortly after 1pm on July 3, they were alerted to the incident and proceeded to the marina area. 'Once on board the vessel, officers discovered a woman unresponsive with visible signs of injuries and a man suffering from severe injuries to his arms. The local doctor visited the scene, examined the victim and pronounced her deceased.' Durban's Paige Bell and the Mexican engineer Brigido Munoz who has been charged with her murder. Image: Facebook Police say it also emerged that Bell had been missing for a 'short period' before she was found 'unresponsive' in the engine room with the suspect who was 'apprehended", and 'cautioned'. Following that he was taken to a nearby clinic for medical treatment. In a telephone conversation with the Independent on Saturday yesterday, Superintendent Leonard Ramsey, the deputy in charge of public relations for the Royal Bahamas Police Force said that while he couldn't reveal how many people were arrested, he could confirm that one person was charged. He said that the police have also met with the Bell family. 'It is the normal practice that if the family came into the Bahamas, they would have met with detectives at our criminal investigation department. That is a normal procedure for all homicide matters. We always meet with the family or both families. So if they came from Africa, or wherever they came from, automatically we would have given out a family meeting and to update them on the incident.' The initial media statement regarding the murder of Paige Bell which was released by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Image: Supplied News of Bell's death sent waves of grief through South Africa and yachting communities alike. Hillcrest High School (HHS) paid tribute to their former pupil on the school's Facebook page. 'Paige matriculated in 2022 and is remembered by our community as an incredibly special young lady who was the happiest, most bubbly person. We know that her untimely and tragic death is a great loss to all who knew Paige, and beyond devastating to her parents and family. As a school we will be holding them in our thoughts and prayers.' The school also called on the community to help bring Bell home by donating money to the GoFundMe account that was set up to assist her family financially. In a previous public message the family also appealed for assistance, saying that they were devastated beyond words. 'This heartbreaking loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved Paigey, and now we must also navigate complex and costly legal proceedings in a foreign country - something far beyond our family's financial means. We are humbly asking for your support. "Whether it's by sharing this message or contributing financially, every bit helps. 'Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we fight for Paigey. We are grateful for your love, support, and solidarity during this incredibly difficult time." Bell's murder has also highlighted the dark side of the yachting crew industry and members of various crew social media groups have advocated for more stringent background checks on crew members to prevent such violence. Captain Frank Prest from the motor yacht Sweet Emocean set up the GoFundMe account. Speaking on behalf of previous and current crew, he said that even though Bell had left their crew in December she would always be part of its family. 'Paige was more than a teammate, she was family. Her radiant spirit, infectious laughter, and boundless compassion made an unforgettable impact on everyone lucky enough to know her. Whether it was long days at sea or quiet moments under the stars, she brought light and warmth wherever she went.' So far the GoFundMe account has almost reached its target of $60 000 (R1m) and had just surpassed $50 000 yesterday. On Monday friends and family from across the globe will have a slice of red velvet cake (Paige's favourite) to commemorate her life. But this won't be a joyful celebration, instead it's a heartbreaking farewell to a young woman on the cusp of a promising life.
