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?"

[maxwellp]

I saw Geraldo helping rescue an older lady and her elderly dog. This was good. I've donated some money to an outfit called "Noahs Wish", which some kind freeper posted here on FreeRepublic. This outfit helps animals during disasters. Folks in the Gulf Coast can call this outfit, give the address of their homes and these guys will try to get to the home and rescue pets they had to leave behind. Pets are like members of your family and this outfit seems to do good work.

[silent_jonny]

did you know that A&E has 24 for 24hrs?

Yeah, but I found out too late :( The new DVDs will be out soon.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

With my very first boat and on my very first outing I almost did the same thing. I was a kid who knew little about boating and was told by someone else to pull the plug on the way to the lake because of rain. As I was starting the motor I looked back and saw everything floating and the water almost to the top of the back of the boat. Fortunately, the motor started right away and I was able to plane and suck it out and insert the plug. Almost lost my boat on the trip.

[silent_jonny]

Where did he get that photogenic WHITE flak jacket?

Heh :)

He had to choose between a flack jacket or a life jacket. Hm, I think he made the right choice :)

[RavenATB]

People like Penn quickly discover their limits in the "real world."

[mystery-ak]

He should be wearing a life jacket..:)

[beyond the sea]

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.

Bush's Fault......

;-)

[Ben Chad]

Too frickin funny

[The_Victor]

This is priceless!

LOLOLOLOL!

[msnimje]

"Actor Sean Penn arrived Sunday at the New Orleans Police Department staging area at Harrah's casino, announcing that he was ready to help in any way he could. Penn, who recently spent time in the New Orleans area while filming "All the King's Men," was being escorted by historian and author Douglas Brinkley."

Did Brinkley bring along Kerry's "Magic Hat" he wrote about in his fiction book on Kerry?

[Leo Carpathian]

He wanted to show Bush that he can rescue people, while Bush is doing nothing. Too FReeeePeeee!

[GretchenM]

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

Upon reflection I think we can safely say that your statement would cover in excess of 90 percent of what Hollywood does nowadays.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Where was this bright boy gonna put all those he was gonna rescue with his entourage on board was he gonna leave them behind ?

[bad company]

Am I a bad person for enjoying this so much?

[bad company]

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.

A smart boater wouldn't have tried to put a boat that big (enough for his personal photographer) into a flooded town in the first place.

[Mustng959]

Leave the rescue efforts to those best qualified. No sense in "muddying the waters" and using needed resources to rescue those that come unprepared to New Orleans on an agenda of their own.

[StAnDeliver]

"Dude, those guys were losers! I left them
in the water to pick up these hot babes."

[freekitty]

Same here mystery-ak.

[Darksheare]

I see nothing wrong with enjoying Penn's submarine adventure.
;-)

[freekitty]

I wonder if Wonder Manly Man considered that the parents might not want to go without their children and they just might take his boat by force?