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 off the Alaskan coast last week. According to the Alaska Beacon, a small skiff that had run out of fuel issued a call for help on August 3, which was answered by the nearby small cruise ship Wilderness Legacy, towing the skiff to Farragut Bay in southeast Alaska.
Under maritime law, it is mandatory for all ships to assist in response to distress calls or requests for help, unless such action would endanger the responding vessel. Maritime law expert Ian Ralby emphasized the obligation of individuals at sea to aid others in need to preserve lives in risky maritime situations.
Despite being closer, Zuckerberg’s yacht, named Launchpad, did not respond to the distress call. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg informed the Alaska Beacon that the crew was unaware of the call for help from the skiff, and by the time they became aware, another nearby ship had already provided assistance.
The spokesperson clarified that the Coast Guard confirmed the skiff was not in distress, and when the crew eventually received the distress call on a different radio channel, assistance was already in progress. The spokesperson expressed gratitude that all parties involved were safe, as reported by the Alaska Beacon on Sunday.
It was highlighted that Zuckerberg and his family were not present on the yacht during the incident.
