A spokesperson for Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan says the Launchpad did not deliberately ignore a 21‑foot skiff that ran out of fuel near Juneau; the family were not aboard. The Coast Guard received the call at about 9:30 p.m. and issued a marine assistance broadcast by 9:56 p.m., after which the cruise ship Wilderness Legacy towed the skiff to Farragut Bay. Launchpad crew were operating on a different radio channel and reported the rescue was already in progress when they heard the broadcast. Passengers said news of the yacht's proximity prompted boos aboard the cruise ship.
Zuckerberg’s Yacht Didn’t Ignore Distress Call Near Juneau, Spokesperson Says
Zuckerberg's yacht, the Launchpad, spotted in French Polynesia in December 2024.
Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht, the Launchpad, did not intentionally ignore a nearby 21‑foot skiff that ran out of fuel near Juneau, Alaska, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan told Forbes. The family were not aboard the vessel when the incident occurred.
What Happened
According to reports first published by the Alaska Beacon and confirmed to Forbes, the small skiff contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at about 9:30 p.m. last Monday evening after running out of fuel somewhere between Juneau and Petersburg. By 9:56 p.m. the Coast Guard had "determined they were not in distress and issued a marine assistance request broadcast on their behalf." The cruise ship Wilderness Legacy, operated by UnCruise Adventures, answered that call and towed the skiff back to Farragut Bay.
Why the Launchpad Wasn't Involved
Brian Baker, a spokesperson for Zuckerberg and Chan, told Forbes the Launchpad’s crew had been monitoring a different radio channel than the one used for the marine assistance broadcast. By the time the Launchpad crew reviewed the transmission, the assist was already underway. Baker also confirmed Zuckerberg, Chan and their family were not aboard and said, "we're grateful all parties are safe."
"The assist was already underway," Baker said of the Launchpad crew's assessment.
Passengers aboard the Wilderness Legacy reported that when the captain announced the proximity of Zuckerberg's yacht, some on board reacted with boos, according to a Bluesky post cited by the Alaska Beacon.
Context On The Launchpad
The Launchpad, delivered in 2024, is nearly 400 feet long and is reported to be the largest yacht ever built by Feadship. Industry estimates value the vessel at roughly $390 million. Forbes estimates Zuckerberg's net worth at about $203.3 billion, largely tied to his roughly 13% stake in Meta.
Forbes has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and UnCruise Adventures for additional comment on the incident.
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