Mark Zuckerberg is under scrutiny following reports that the crew of a yacht owned by the Meta CEO failed to respond to a distress call from another vessel off the coast of Alaska last week. The incident occurred when a small skiff ran out of fuel and issued a call for assistance on August 3, which was relayed through the U.S. Coast Guard. The nearby small cruise ship, the Wilderness Legacy, came to the skiff’s aid and towed it to Farragut Bay in southeast Alaska.

According to maritime law, all ships are obligated to respond to distress calls or requests for help, unless it poses a risk to their own safety. Maritime law expert Ian Ralby emphasized the duty of human beings to save lives at sea, highlighting the inherent dangers of maritime activities and the importance of protecting individuals who venture into such risks.

Despite being closer to the skiff in need, Zuckerberg’s yacht, named Launchpad, did not respond to the distress call. A spokesperson for Zuckerberg explained to the Alaska Beacon that the crew was unaware of the call for help from the skiff and only became aware after another nearby ship had already provided assistance.

The spokesperson further clarified that, according to the Coast Guard, the skiff was not in distress, and by the time the crew became aware of the situation, help was already on the way. Zuckerberg and his family were not present on the yacht at the time of the incident.

The incident has sparked questions about the response protocol at sea and the responsibilities of vessel owners and crews in ensuring maritime safety.