The tragic death of South African stewardess Paige Bell led to the creation of the Protecting Crew Lives (PCL) initiative, a powerful movement dedicated to advocating for safety and accountability in the superyacht industry, ensuring that her legacy inspires change for all crew members.
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Following the tragic death of 20-year-old stewardess Paige Bell in the Bahamas last year, her family is seeking justice and campaigning for crucial reforms in the superyacht industry to better ensure crew welfare and safety.
Eight months later, the Bell family navigates their grief while awaiting accountability in the complex legal process.
Brigido Munoz, a 40-year-old Mexican national and fellow crew member, was arrested and charged with murder after Paige was tragically discovered dead aboard the superyacht, Far From It. The incident occurred on July 3, 2025, while the vessel was docked at Harbour Island.
The Bell family continues to pursue justice through the courts while simultaneously striving to honour Paige's memory by championing systemic change.
John Bell with wife, Michelle, and daughters, Chelsey Jacobs and Paige.
Image: Supplied
“The past eight months have been incredibly difficult for the family, and the loss of Paige is something we live with every day,” the Bell family shared.
Grief, they explain, is not a simple process. “Grief is not something that simply fades with time, and we continue to navigate life without her while holding onto the love and memories she brought into our lives.”
While legal proceedings in the Bahamas are under way, the family is respecting the legal process and is unable to discuss specific details.
However, they have confirmed that lawyers are set to attend a brief session in the Bahamas Supreme Court at the end of November, with the “proposed” start of the criminal trial not expected until the end of June 2027.
This significant delay is not unusual in complex international cases. According to labour specialist Deirdre Venter from Shepstone & Wylie and maritime expert Dusty Donnelly, the director of the Maritime Studies Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a period of over two years between arrest and trial is common in proceedings that cross multiple jurisdictions.
Venter and Donnelly point out several contributing factors, including establishing jurisdictional clarity involving the flag state of the yacht, the location of the incident, and the nationalities of those involved; the difficulty of collecting evidence dispersed across several countries; and the time required to process forensic and digital evidence from shipboard systems.
“In serious criminal matters, courts are typically careful to allow full pre-trial procedures, including disclosure of evidence, expert reports, and procedural motions.”
While the criminal case will be determined under Bahamian criminal law, the experts say the maritime context raises parallel legal questions, particularly regarding crew protection.
They noted that while the International Labour Organisation's June 2025 amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) address bullying and harassment, they fall short on gender-based violence.
Furthermore, they said the MLC does not apply to private pleasure vessels such as the superyacht Far From It, leaving superyacht crew in a legal grey area unless the MLC is voluntarily adopted or incorporated into employment contracts.
Though these issues won't directly impact the criminal trial, they could become relevant in civil claims or insurance matters concerning the vessel operator's responsibility for crew welfare, Venter and Donnelly stated.
They said families dealing with crimes overseas face considerable challenges.
Officials at the local South African consulate and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) can assist with understanding the legal process and communication. Support services are available, including the free, confidential 24-hour helplines SeafarerHelp and YachtCrewHelp provided by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).
“We express our deepest condolences to the family of Paige Bell... this case is a tragic reminder that female seafarers are not being adequately protected,” the experts said.
Despite the protracted timeline, the family’s hope is simple: that the legal process will allow the truth to come forward and that justice will ultimately be served for their daughter.
“As a family, we remain committed to allowing the legal system to take its course while continuing to honour Paige’s memory,” they said.
Through this painful time, the family has been sustained by a flood of support.
“What has helped them through this time is the kindness and support we have received from family, friends, our community, and many people within the yachting world who have reached out with compassion,” the family shared.
They noted that even individuals they have never met have sent messages of kindness and support, which have been “incredibly meaningful”.
The family wants Paige to be remembered for the person she was: “a vibrant, kind, and hardworking young woman with a bright future ahead of her”.
Reflecting on her spirit, they said she had a “wonderful sense of adventure and a love for life that was contagious. Paige had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome, and she could light up a room with her laughter and beautiful smile.”
Honouring that spirit is now central to their lives. “We try to honour her memory by remembering the joy, kindness, and adventurous spirit she shared with everyone around her.”
Beyond the court case, Paige’s legacy has inspired a vital movement for reform.
The family gave their full support to the launch of Protecting Crew Lives (PCL), co-founded by Chantal Johnson and Nicole Coetzer. The initiative, which grew from an initial “Justice for Paige Bell” campaign, aims to raise awareness around crew welfare and safety — issues that the Bell family feels Paige herself would have championed.
“If greater awareness and education can help protect other crew members and encourage positive change within the industry, then supporting that effort felt like an important way to honour Paige’s memory,” the family stated.
Founded by passionate advocates Chantal Johnson and Nicole Coetzer, the Protecting Crew Lives (PCL) initiative aims to transform the superyacht industry by prioritising safety and accountability for all crew members, ensuring that their voices are heard and protected.
Image: Supplied
The family said they would like to see an industry where crew feel supported, where concerns can be raised openly, and where transparency and accountability are strengthened.
PCL founders Johnson and Coetzer explained that the overwhelming response from crew members highlighted systemic issues that extend beyond this single tragedy.
“PCL exists to honour Paige’s legacy while working toward a safer and more informed future for crew across the global superyacht industry,” they said.
The organisation refuses to let Paige’s death be in vain, pushing instead for stronger onboard protections and greater accountability from all stakeholders.
“For years, the industry has called for change and recognised the deep systemic issues of abuse that extend far beyond Paige’s case,” the founders noted, adding that “The tragic events surrounding Paige have given the industry a much-needed wake-up call.”
PCL is driving a campaign for legislative and behavioural shifts, advocating for a zero-tolerance culture, greater transparency, and accountability to combat risks repeatedly raised by crew, including workplace harassment, bullying, and sexual assault.
The campaign’s ultimate goal, according to the founders, is simple yet profound: “We need a centralised, transparent system where reporting a crime isn't a career-ending move and where those who violate their 'Duty of Care' are held legally and professionally responsible, regardless of which flag they fly or which ocean they are in.”
For young people considering a career in yachting, a career Paige was passionate about, the Bell family offers a message of caution and informed decision-making.
“If there is one message we would share with young people considering a career in yachting, it is to be fully informed about the realities of working at sea,” they advised, warning that “It is important to understand not only the opportunities that may exist, but also the challenges and risks that can arise in any industry where people live and work in close quarters.”
Their final message is one of enduring love and hope. “Our hope is that Paige will always be remembered not only for the tragedy that took her from us, but for the bright, compassionate, and adventurous young woman she truly was.
“If her legacy can help raise awareness and contribute to a safer environment for others working at sea, then her memory will continue to make a meaningful difference.”
Have thoughts on this topic or other subjects you’d like us to explore? Want to share your experiences? Reach out to me at karen.singh@inl.co.za
In the wake of Paige Bell's tragic death, the issue of gender-based violence in the superyacht industry has come to the forefront. Her story highlights the urgent need for systemic change, as we strive to create a safer environment for all crew members and ensure that every voice is heard and protected.
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