Zuckerberg's Superyacht Accused of Ignoring Coast Guard Plea to Help Stranded Skiff

A $300 million superyacht linked to Mark Zuckerberg allegedly declined a Coast Guard request to assist a stranded skiff off Alaska, drawing public backlash and a spokesperson's denial.

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A superyacht reported to be worth $300 million and linked to Mark Zuckerberg is at the center of a controversy after allegedly ignoring a Coast Guard request to help a small boat in distress off the coast of south-east Alaska. The incident, which took place last week between Petersburg and Juneau, has sparked criticism on social media and a firm denial from a spokesperson for the Facebook founder.

The stranded vessel was a 21-foot skiff carrying two women, a child, and a dog, which had run out of fuel. According to the Coast Guard, they radioed the superyacht, named Launchpad, to request assistance. The yacht, which measures 387 feet, was reportedly closer to the skiff than the vessel that ultimately carried out the rescue.

The rescue was performed by the cruise ship Wilderness Legacy, operated by UnCruise Adventures. A passenger on that ship, Michael Love, publicized the incident in a post on Bluesky, stating that there was "near unanimous booing when the captain announced this." Love's account suggested that Launchpad repeatedly declined to help after the Coast Guard's call.

In response, Brian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, said that the couple was not on board at the time. Baker explained that the yacht's crew was monitoring a different radio channel and that assistance was already underway when they reviewed the broadcast. He maintained that the crew had not deliberately ignored the request.

The incident has fueled public scrutiny of Zuckerberg's lifestyle, with many questioning the ethics of a billionaire's crew failing to lend aid in an emergency. A Reddit user claimed that Launchpad was anchored in Auke Bay, Juneau, following the event, though this has not been independently confirmed.

The Coast Guard has not commented on whether an investigation is underway. The episode adds to the ongoing debate about the responsibilities of luxury yacht owners in maritime emergencies.