A small skiff that ran out of fuel off the coast of Southeast Alaska was towed to safety last week by a passing cruise ship after the crew of Mark Zuckerberg's yacht Launchpad did not hear the initial radio call for help, according to a spokesperson for the Meta chief executive.
The U.S. Coast Guard relayed the assistance request after the skiff reported it was adrift. The Wilderness Legacy, a small expedition cruise vessel operating nearby, responded and brought the skiff into Farragut Bay where it was refuelled. A passenger on the cruise ship, Michael Love, posted on Bluesky that the captain announced Launchpad had been closer but did not answer repeated hails, prompting boos from passengers.
Spokesperson says yacht was on different channel
In an email to the Alaska Beacon on Sunday, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg said the yacht's crew was monitoring a different radio channel at the time. By the time they reviewed the Coast Guard transmission, the Wilderness Legacy had already begun the tow. The spokesperson added that Zuckerberg and his family were not aboard and that the Coast Guard had determined the skiff was not in distress.
"We're grateful all parties are safe," the statement read.
Maritime protocol followed
The Coast Guard confirmed the skiff was not classified as a vessel in distress, which would have triggered a mandatory response from all nearby traffic. Under standard maritime practice, vessels monitor Channel 16 for hailing and distress calls, though commercial and private craft often maintain watch on working channels as well. The incident ended without injury or damage.
Based on reporting by Global News.