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Zuckerberg defends crew of his $300M superyacht accused of snubbing a stranded boat
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- Mark Zuckerberg's $300 million superyacht, Launchpad, was accused of ignoring a stranded 21-foot skiff in Alaska, but Zuckerberg's team claims the crew missed the distress call as they were tuned to the wrong radio channel.
- The smaller tour boat Wilderness Legacy eventually assisted the stranded skiff after the Coast Guard's request for help was not answered by the Launchpad crew.
- Maritime law expert Ian Ralby explained that the call was a request for help, not a distress call, meaning the legal obligation to assist did not apply, though it is customary for ships to monitor the emergency channel.
- Retired Coast Guard Captain Aaron Davenport noted that running out of fuel is not considered an emergency, so the Launchpad crew was under no legal obligation to assist, though helping others is seen as common courtesy.
- Zuckerberg and his wife were not aboard the yacht during the incident, and all parties involved were reported safe.
