The dream job turned nightmare for Paige Bell has exposed disturbing gaps in crew safety aboard luxury yachts. The 20-year-old stewardess from Johannesburg was found murdered aboard the Far From It, a £9.5 million vessel frequented by the ultra-wealthy. Her body showed signs of a violent attack, while a fellow crew member was discovered with self-inflicted wounds in what appears to be a murder-suicide attempt gone wrong.
The suspect, a 39-year-old engineer, survived and now faces murder charges in a Bahamian court. But the case has raised bigger questions about the isolation and pressures faced by young crew members working long contracts at sea. Paige, described by friends as vibrant and ambitious, had just begun what should have been an exciting career in yachting.
Her family’s grief has been compounded by the shocking nature of her death and the challenges of navigating foreign legal systems. As the yachting industry reels from the tragedy, many are calling for mandatory mental health support and better safety protocols to protect workers in this unique, high-stress environment.
