Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht has come under scrutiny after a cruise ship reportedly diverted to assist a small boat that had run out of fuel in Southeast Alaska, while the billionaire’s vessel was said to be nearby.
The incident reportedly began last Monday night when a cruise ship changed course to help a 21-foot skiff stranded in the area. Michael Love, a passenger on the cruise ship, claimed on social media that the captain told passengers Zuckerberg’s yacht was closer to the skiff but did not intervene.
Love said some passengers began booing Zuckerberg and argued that the billionaire could have used the opportunity to help someone in need. According to the Alaska Beacon, Zuckerberg’s 387-foot yacht, Launchpad, reportedly stopped near the skiff in Farragut Bay. The cruise ship later sailed around the yacht and reached the stranded boat, towing it to safety.
The U.S. Coast Guard, however, said it received a general request for assistance but did not receive a distress call from the skiff. A representative for Zuckerberg said neither Zuckerberg nor his family was aboard the yacht at the time.
“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,” the representative said. The representative added, “We’re grateful all parties are safe.”