Zuckerberg's yacht was nearby but did not assist stranded boat
An Alaskan cruise ship rescued a stranded boat after it ran out of fuel, though Mark Zuckerberg's yacht was closer. Passengers reported the yacht refused to respond to a request for aid.
An Alaskan cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, rescued a small skiff stranded near Farragut Bay earlier this week after it ran out of fuel. However, according to tracking data reviewed by the Alaska Beacon and Halifax Shipping News, the closest vessel was Mark Zuckerberg's super yacht, Launchpad.
Michael Love, a passenger on the Wilderness Legacy, posted on Bluesky that the ship's captain announced the Launchpad was closer but "repeatedly refused to respond," which was met with booing from passengers.
AIS tracking data appears to support that the Launchpad was closer to the vessel in distress. The yacht reportedly stopped near the entrance to the bay, while the Wilderness Legacy proceeded to the skiff and completed the rescue.
The incident raises questions about the responsibility of wealthy individuals with capable vessels in maritime emergencies. This is the first report of Zuckerberg's yacht being in proximity to a distress situation without rendering assistance.