Mark Zuckerberg Faces Query Following Response Failure of Yacht To Alaska Maritime Aid Call

Mark Zuckerberg is facing questions after his 387-foot superyacht reportedly declined to assist a stranded skiff in southeast Alaska last week, even though it was closer than the vessel that ultimately performed the rescue.

The 21-foot skiff ran out of fuel between Petersburg and Juneau, prompting a call for help.

A cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, which was further away than Zuckerberg’s yacht, came to the rescue.

A passenger on the cruise ship posted on social media that the Coast Guard had radioed Zuckerberg’s yacht and that the crew “repeatedly refused to respond” . The passenger added that there was “near unanimous booing” when the captain announced the situation.

The 387-foot superyacht, reportedly worth $300 million, is owned by the Meta Platforms CEO.

A spokesperson for Zuckerberg told Forbes that he was not on board at the time of the incident.

The spokesperson also stated that the yacht crew had been operating on a different radio channel and that “the assist was already under way” by the time they became aware of the broadcast.

Neither Meta Platforms nor Zuckerberg has issued an official statement regarding the refusal to respond.

The incident has sparked criticism and debate about the responsibilities of large vessels in maritime emergencies, with many questioning why the closer vessel did not act.