Sean Penn saves the day with a sinking boat & flak jacket

Why the flak jacket Sean? It must be because he's a national treasure.

Sean Penn's attempt to sail to the rescue of young victims of Hurricane Katrina has foundered. The actor apparently forgot to plug a hole in the bottom of his boat, which began to take on water as soon as it was launched. Things then got worse - the boat's motor failed and those on board had to start rowing.

And then the final straw: bystanders eyeing off the massive entourage on the boat - it even included a personal photographer for Penn - taunted the actor. "How are you going to get any people in that thing?"