Actor Sean Penn was furious when he found out he has been accused of using the Hurricane Katrina tragedy as a publicity stunt.

Penn, 45, who was accompanied by his personal photographer and a crew of helpers, tried to help those stranded by the devastating floods, launching a boat down the water-logged streets of New Orleans.

But, according to Australia's Melbourne Herald Sun, he was forced to bail out with a red plastic cup when the vessel started filling with water.

And now, the actor is accused of publicity stunt, critics asking why did he take a photographer with them. Penn hit back at reports, saying his efforts were sincere; he hired a boat and helped ferry 40 stranded locals to safety.

On Wednesday, he told CNN host Larry King, "We went in, a couple of friends of mine, on our own. Certainly we had the attention of some photographers. We tried to do what we could."