Zuckerberg's yacht was closer, but another ship rescued a stranded boat off Alaska
The cruise ship Wilderness Legacy towed a fuel-less skiff to safety near Alaska's Farragut Bay, even though Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht Launchpad was reportedly closer but didn't respond. The Coast Guard later said the boat was never actually in distress.
Earlier this week, the cruise ship Wilderness Legacy rescued a small skiff that had run out of fuel near Farragut Bay in Alaska. Tracking data reviewed by the Alaska Beacon and Halifax Shipping News, however, showed that the vessel actually closest to the stranded boat was Mark Zuckerberg's superyacht, Launchpad.
Michael Love, a passenger aboard the Wilderness Legacy, wrote on Bluesky that the ship's captain told passengers the Launchpad was nearer to the scene but had "repeatedly refused to respond." The announcement was met with boos from passengers. AIS tracking data appears to back up the account, showing the Launchpad closer to the stranded skiff before it stopped near the entrance of the bay. The Wilderness Legacy, meanwhile, is seen passing the Launchpad, then turning back to tow the stranded boat to safety.
Coast Guard says boat wasn't in distress
The US Coast Guard and the Marine Exchange of Alaska did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist Shannon Shepard later told the Alaska Beacon that at around 9:56 p.m., officials determined the skiff was not actually in distress and instead broadcast a marine assistance request on its behalf.
Brian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, told The Verge that the couple and their family were not aboard the yacht at the time. He noted that, as the Coast Guard confirmed, the boat was never in distress, and by the time the yacht's crew reviewed the Coast Guard's message — sent on a different radio channel than the one they were monitoring — the rescue was already underway. Baker added that everyone involved is glad all parties are safe.
