Mark Zuckerberg is under scrutiny following reports that the crew of a yacht belonging to the Meta CEO did not respond to a distress call from another vessel near Alaska’s coast last week. According to the Alaska Beacon, a small skiff that ran out of fuel requested assistance on August 3 via the U.S. Coast Guard, and the nearby small cruise ship Wilderness Legacy towed it to Farragut Bay in southeast Alaska.
Maritime regulations mandate that all ships must assist in response to distress calls or requests for aid, barring risks to the responding vessel. Maritime law expert Ian Ralby emphasized the duty to rescue individuals at sea whenever possible, highlighting the inherent dangers of maritime activities and the importance of safeguarding lives.
Despite its closer proximity, Zuckerberg’s yacht, known as Launchpad, did not acknowledge the distress call. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg informed the Alaska Beacon that the crew was unaware of the call for help from the skiff. By the time they became aware, another vessel had already provided assistance.
The spokesperson clarified that the Coast Guard confirmed the skiff was not in distress. Upon reviewing the Coast Guard communication on a different radio channel, the crew realized assistance was already underway. The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the safety of all involved parties. It was also stated that Zuckerberg and his family were not present on the yacht during the incident.