Mark Zuckerberg Faces Backlash Over Yacht’s Alleged Failure to Help Stranded Boat

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has come under criticism following reports that his luxury yacht was near a stranded boat in Southeast Alaska but did not assist, leaving a cruise ship to intervene.

The incident reportedly occurred last Monday night when a cruise ship altered its course to help a 21-foot skiff that had run out of fuel.

Michael Love, a passenger on the cruise ship, claimed on social media that the ship’s captain told passengers Zuckerberg’s yacht was closer to the stranded vessel but had not offered assistance.

According to Love, some passengers reportedly booed Zuckerberg, arguing that the billionaire’s yacht could have helped the boat in need.

The Alaska Beacon reported that Zuckerberg’s 387-foot yacht, Launchpad, was in the vicinity of the stranded skiff in Farragut Bay. The cruise ship reportedly sailed past the yacht, reached the smaller boat and towed it to safety.

However, the U.S. Coast Guard clarified that it had received a general request for assistance but no distress call from the stranded skiff.

A representative for Zuckerberg also said the Meta CEO and his family were not aboard the yacht when the incident occurred.

“Mark and his family were not on board at the time of the incident,” the representative said, adding that the boat was not considered to be in distress.

The representative explained that the yacht’s crew became aware of the Coast Guard contact on a different radio channel from the one they were monitoring, by which time assistance was already underway.

“We’re grateful all parties are safe,” the representative added.