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The biggest yachting news stories of July 2025

30 July 2025 • Written by Dea Jusufi

This month, the industry was left shocked and saddened by the suspected murder of 20-year-old Paige Bell, a stewardess working on board the 43.4-metre superyacht Far From It. Her tragic death has reignited the debate around safety in yachting – including renewed interest in a petition calling for background checks to be required for all crew.

Other major stories involved a serious yacht fire in St Tropez, a yacht grounding in Spain and a ground-breaking project confirmed to be attending this year's Monaco Yacht Show.

BOAT rounds up everything you might have missed.

1. Crew member found dead on 43m superyacht in the Bahamas

This month, 20-year-old South African stewardess Paige Bell was found dead on board the 43.4-metre Richmond superyacht Far From It.

She was discovered unresponsive in the engine room alongside 39-year-old engineer Brigido Munoz, who has since been arrested and charged with murder. His hearing is set for this November.

2. 64m Sanlorenzo superyacht Attila runs aground in Formentera

Credit: Agents Medi Ambient

The 64.3-metre Sanlorenzo superyacht Attila ran aground off the coast of Es Pujols in Formentera, Spain.

Authorities confirmed that the incident did not result in any pollution or impact on the posidonia grasslands native to the area.

3. Fire badly damages 41m superyacht Sea Lady II in St Tropez

Credit: Alain Saudade Blanckaert

The 41.3-metre W.A. Souter & Son superyacht Sea Lady II was badly damaged in a fire while docked in Port de Saint Tropez.

Firefighters had difficulties boarding the yacht but did manage to bring the flames under control by midnight (10 July). Two crew members were evacuated and treated for minor smoke inhalation.

4. Sanlorenzo unveils new 34m model in Asymmetric yacht range

Italian yard Sanlorenzo expanded its Asymmetric yacht range with a 33.5-metre flybridge model known as the SL110A.

The first unit will debut at this year's Cannes Yachting Festival, where visitors will be able to experience her "light-filled interiors" and "indoor-outdoor flow" for the first time.

5. 28m explorer yacht once owned by Jimmy Buffett listed for auction

The 27.5-metre Cheoy Lee explorer yacht Doubleyou, once owned by the renowned American singer Jimmy Buffett, was listed for auction with G3 Auctions.

Said to have inspired several songs written by the late singer-songwriter, Doubleyou is the only Cheoy Lee 90 Expedition model designed by American yacht designer Tom Fexas, boasting a navy blue hull with a bulbous bow and a neat, two-deck cream superstructure.

6. World's first hydrogen superyacht to debut at this year's Monaco Yacht Show

The world's first fuel-cell superyacht, Breakthrough, was confirmed as an attendee for this year's Monaco Yacht Show.

At 118.8 metres, the Feadship build is the largest motor yacht ever launched in the Netherlands and currently the show's largest display, measuring over 30 metres longer than the second-largest attendee, Gigia.

7. Maiora unveils 42m Exuma yacht model that "breaks free" from design tropes

Italian yard Maiora, a brand of NEXT Yacht Group, unveiled a 42-metre superyacht model called the Maiora 42 Exuma.

The new model eschews conventional design tropes in the yachting industry, including lower deck guest cabins, "oversized and underused" main saloons and cramped crew spaces.

8. IGY Marinas to operate Wynn Al Marjan Island Marina in the UAE

IGY Marinas was appointed as the operator for Wynn Al Marjan Island Marina in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

The island has been envisioned as an integrated resort, featuring 1,530 rooms and suites with a host of entertainment and leisure amenities. Meanwhile, the world-class marina will house 101 slips for yachts up to 85 metres, with new berthing technology and dedicated guest services.

9. First look inside full-custom Alia charter yacht Limerence

Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts offered a first look inside the 52.5-metre superyacht Limerence as she continues her charter programme across the Mediterranean.

The superyacht's defining feature is her raised aft deck, which doubles as a fully certified helicopter deck and a huge entertainment space, with configurations for a dancefloor, volleyball, pickleball and basketball court.

10. 51m Royal Huisman schooner sailing yacht Borkumriff IV sold

The 50.6-metre modern-classic schooner Borkumriff IV was sold this month, with Arne Ploch of Camper & Nicholsons representing the seller.

Delivered in 2002, the sailing yacht is the product of a collaboration between Dutch yard Royal Huisman, American "schooner specialist" John G. Alden and Dutch design house Dykstra Naval Architects, built to be reminiscent of traditional Newfoundland schooners.