I haven't found any source that states what channel the request for assistance came in on. But multiple sources are reporting that the coast guard determined they were not in distress.

detourdog 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

On the sea there are 2 levels of distress. Things are going wrong and may end up in a mayday call (pan pan) and things have gone wrong human life is in imminent danger.

I have no doubt that a boat without propulsion is a pan pan call.

When traveling the seas a watch must be maintained at all times using all available means. This involes looking, listening, and the use of any electronics available. The most common electronic device on a boat is probably a VHF radio. Channel 16 is the channel to monitor on watch. Well equipped boats will have multiple VHF radios to monitor more then one channel.

I have no doubt the boat was well equipped with a professional captain. The other professional Captain in this story made a stink because launchpad was the closest vessel and they ignored a very old fundamental rule of the sea.

This story has a happy ending because another vessel stepped up. We don’t know the alternative.

The Captain of the Launchpad is choosing the inability to keep a vhf radio set to channel 16 rather than admit they ignored the call.

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limagnolia 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Based on the wording of the response, and a review of the ship tracking data, it appears that Zuckerburgs yacht may have been actively communicating on a different channel, and once they switched back, the assistance from the cruise ship was already underway.

Again, more facts may be revealed, but as of right now, I don;'t see any reason to believe the crew did anything wrong.

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detourdog 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

A yacht with their budget has multiple VHF radios to monitor multiple channels.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_16_VHF

The Launchpad didn’t break any laws they just revealed themselves to be a failure in good seamanship.

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detourdog 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I can tell you think they did not do anything wrong. My guess is you have no training in the rules of the sea.

There is a reason why the cruise ship captain made a stink. There is code of conduct we try to live up and the Launchpad didn’t live up to expectations that other Captains hold sacred. It’s offensive.

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limagnolia 3 hours ago | parent [-]

My code of conduct is to not criticize another human being without the facts. As I have stated countless times, I accept that there are many unknowns, if more facts come available that demonstrate negligence, I will accept them and expect accountability.

	▲	detourdog an hour ago \| parent [-]
		That is a good code. I personally have all the facts I need to form an opinion. I don't even think we disagree on the facts. I think we just disagree on the obligations of a captain at sea.