Zuckerberg’s yacht was closer, but someone else saved a stranded boat
Tracking data reveals Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht Launchpad was closer to a stranded skiff, but a small cruise ship stepped in to help.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Small cruise ship Wilderness Legacy rescued a stranded skiff near Farragut Bay
- Tracking data showed Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht Launchpad was closer to the scene
- Representatives clarified the Zuckerberg family was not on board and missed the radio call
A maritime incident in Alaska has drawn attention after a small cruise ship named Wilderness Legacy stepped in to rescue a small skiff stranded near Farragut Bay after running out of fuel. However, according to vessel tracking data reviewed by the Alaska Beacon and Halifax Shipping News, the vessel in the closest proximity to the stranded craft was actually the massive superyacht Launchpad, owned by tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg.
The situation came to light when Michael Love, a passenger aboard the Wilderness Legacy, shared on Bluesky that the ship's captain announced over the PA system that the Launchpad was closer but repeatedly failed to respond, prompting boos from the passengers. AIS tracking data appeared to confirm that the Launchpad was closer to the troubled vessel before halting near the mouth of the bay, allowing the Wilderness Legacy to sail past it, turn around, and tow the stranded boat back to safety.
"Mark and his family were not on board at the time of the incident. As the Coast Guard noted, the boat was not in distress, and by the time the crew reviewed the Coast Guard contact on a different radio channel from the one they were operating on, the assist was already underway. We’re grateful all parties are safe."
Brian Baker
Neither the US Coast Guard nor the Marine Exchange of Alaska provided an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the incident. Nevertheless, Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Shannon Shepard informed the Alaska Beacon that at approximately 9:56 p.m., the Coast Guard evaluated the situation and determined the vessel was not in distress, subsequently broadcasting a marine assistance request on their behalf.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Public fascination with the movements of billionaire-owned mega-yachts highlights the increasing transparency of modern maritime travel through tools like Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking. Furthermore, communication challenges at sea often arise from vessels monitoring different VHF radio channels simultaneously, which can inadvertently lead to missed distress or assistance relay calls during unexpected coastal incidents.
In response to the reports, Brian Baker, a spokesperson representing Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, provided a statement to The Verge explaining that Mark and his family were not present on the yacht when the incident unfolded. Highlighting that the Coast Guard confirmed the boat was not in acute distress, Baker noted that by the time the yacht's crew checked the Coast Guard's communication on an alternate radio channel than the one currently in use, the rescue operation was already underway, adding that they are glad everyone involved is safe.
Source: The Verge
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