Sean Penn's rescue bid sinks

Herald Sun (AU) ^ | 05sep05

[veronica]

EFFORTS by Hollywood actor Sean Penn to aid New Orleans victims stranded by Hurricane Katrina foundered badly overnight, when the boat he was piloting to launch a rescue attempt sprang a leak.

Penn had planned to rescue children waylaid by Katrina's flood waters, but apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of the vessel, which began taking water within seconds of its launch.

The actor, known for his political activism, was seen wearing what appeared to be a white flak jacket and frantically bailing water out of the sinking vessel with a red plastic cup.

When the boat's motor failed to start, those aboard were forced to use paddles to propel themselves down the flooded New Orleans street.

Asked what he had hoped to achieve in the waterlogged city, the actor replied: "Whatever I can do to help."

With the boat loaded with members of Penn's entourage, including a personal photographer, one bystander taunted the actor: "How are you going to get any people in that thing?"

[doctorhugo]

And how about this observation>>>With the boat loaded with members of Penn's entourage, including a personal photographer, one bystander taunted the actor: "How are you going to get any people in that thing?"

Guess this clown was well-intentioned, but he'd best remember to secure his bilge plug next time.

[johnny7]

“Duuuude!!”

[Clara Lou]

I'm still laughing about this. I'm just interested: Was he going to rescue kids and bypass the adults? Red Diaper Baby/former Mr. Madonna to the rescue!

[ZOOKER]

OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH that's so BOGUS!

[FarmerW]

A picture would be so sweet

[Rebelbase]

In the meantime Geraldo actually went on a rescue today.

[Cougar66]

let me guess: Nagin was his first mate?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Finally, some comic relief...

;^D

[chrispycsuf]

this is great

[FinallyBackInNH]

That's OK Sean, Geraldo's doing enough "rescuing" for both of you...

Did anyone just see that footage on FNC of Geraldo "rescuing" the old lady and her dog live on camera? I think I'm going to be physically ill...

[Bommer]

Penn had planned to rescue children waylaid by Katrina's flood waters, but apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of the vessel, which began taking water within seconds of its launch.

Whhhooooaa! Thats must have been some good dope Spicoli!

[Boazo]

You got to love this!!!

[karlito]

"...but apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of the vessel" - what a classic stoner maneuver!

[libstripper]

Ther's a drain plug in the bottom of most power boats, right at the stern and directly underneath the outdrive or the outboard, as the case may be. It's taken out to drain the boat when the boat's on its trailer. A SMART BOATER WHO DOESN'T WANT TO SINK ALWAYS CHECKS IT BEFORE LAUNCHING HIS BOAT. Looks like Mr. Penn didn't know zip about boating, but he expects us to take his advice about national security.

[river rat]

Shame on you!
You be bad......


Loved it.

Semper Fi

[texianyankee]

Asked what he had hoped to achieve in the waterlogged city, the actor replied: "Whatever I can do to help."

How 'bout a human shield?

[Boazo]

[SamAdams76]

You've got to be kidding me!

"All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine...People on 'ludes should not get in a leaky boat..."

[ElCapusto]

Did he drown as a result of his heroic efforts?

Was he wearing his Madonna, er, I mean Mae West?

[FarmerW]

More I think about this the less funny it is. How did he get there and who the hell let him? Who would let in a man with no experience in such setting into a mandatory evac city with a boat? Who would be so vain as to think they would be better at rescues then the coastguard and national guard? Who...who..nevermind..