Crew of Zuckerberg yacht did not hear radio call to assist boat, Meta says
Small skiff ran out of fuel off Alaska and was helped by cruise ship even though Meta CEO’s vessel was closer Zuckerberg faces questions over why superyacht reportedly declined to help stranded boat The crew of a yacht owned by Mark Zuckerberg did not hear a radio call for a maritime assist from a small skiff that ran out of fuel off the coast of Alaska, and by the time it did, another nearby…
On Monday night, a small cruise ship sailing through Southeast Alaska changed course to help a 21-foot skiff that ran out of fuel between Petersburg and Juneau. The incident drew attention due to the presence of Mark Zuckerberg's 387-foot superyacht, the Launchpad, nearby.
Michael Love, a software developer from New York City, described the event on Bluesky, noting that the cruise ship's captain announced the yacht's proximity but it did not respond to the radio call for assistance. The yacht was reportedly slowing near Farragut Bay while the cruise ship continued its journey.
The US Coast Guard received the call for help around 9:30 p.m. and determined the skiff was not in distress, issuing a marine assistance request. However, they later clarified the skiff was not in distress, but the Coast Guard classified it as a normal assistance request.
The Marine Exchange of Alaska helped the Coast Guard broadcast the request and contacted the Wilderness Legacy, which successfully towed the skiff into sheltered waters in Farragut Bay. UnCruise spokeswoman Sarah Scoltock confirmed the skiff was refueled after being towed to safety.
Zuckerberg's spokesperson clarified that the Meta founder and his family were not on board the Launchpad at the time of the incident.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Crew of Zuckerberg yacht did not hear radio call to assist boat, Meta says theguardian.com
- Zuckerberg yacht near stranded Alaska boat rescue economictimes.indiatimes.com
