Mark Zuckerberg is under scrutiny following reports that his yacht’s crew did not respond to a distress call from another vessel near Alaska last week. According to the Alaska Beacon, a small skiff that ran out of fuel requested assistance on Aug. 3, and the nearby small cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, provided towing services to bring it into Farragut Bay in southeast Alaska.
Under maritime law, all ships are obligated to assist in response to distress calls, unless such action would endanger the responding ship. Maritime law expert Ian Ralby emphasized the duty to aid fellow seafarers in need, highlighting the inherent risks of maritime activities.
Despite being closer to the distressed skiff, Zuckerberg’s yacht, named Launchpad, did not acknowledge the call for help. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg explained to the Alaska Beacon that the crew had not heard the distress call initially, and when they eventually became aware of it, another vessel had already provided assistance.
The spokesperson clarified that, as per the Coast Guard’s assessment, the skiff was not in immediate danger, and assistance was already in progress when the crew learned of the situation on a different radio channel. It was confirmed that Zuckerberg and his family were not present on the yacht during the incident.
Overall, the situation underscores the importance of prompt response to distress calls at sea to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.