Should BP chief executive Tony Hayward have gone to the yacht race?
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
June 20, 2010 12:00am CST
It looks like Tony Hayward got his life back...at least for the weekend. What do you think...was this a wise decision at this time?
[i]BP chief executive Tony Hayward took a day off Saturday to see his 52-foot yacht "Bob" compete in a glitzy race off England's shore, a leisure trip that further infuriated residents of the oil-stained Gulf Coast.
While Hayward's pricey ship whipped around the Isle of Wight on a good day for sailing — breezy and about 68 degrees — anger simmered on the steamy Gulf Coast, where crude has been washing in from the still-gushing spill.
"Man, that ain't right. None of us can even go out fishing, and he's at the yacht races," said Bobby Pitre, 33, who runs a tattoo shop in the crossroads town of Larose, La. "I wish we could get a day off from the oil, too."
BP spokespeople rushed to defend Hayward, who has drawn withering criticism as the public face of BP PLC's halting efforts to stop the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.
Company spokesman Robert Wine said the break is the first for Hayward since the Deepwater Horizon rig BP was leasing exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and setting off the undersea gusher.
"He's spending a few hours with his family at a weekend. I'm sure that everyone would understand that," Wine said.
He noted Hayward is a well known as a fan of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, one of the world's largest, which attracts more than 1,700 boats and 16,000 sailors as famous yachtsmen compete with wealthy amateurs in a 50-nautical mile course around the island at England's southern tip.
"Bob" finished fourth in its group. It was not clear whether Hayward actually took part in Saturday's race or attended as a spectator.
The boat, made 10 years ago by the Annapolis, Md.-based boatbuilder Farr Yacht Design, lists for nearly $700,000. [/i]
3 people like this
14 responses
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
20 Jun 10
I expect politicians, being representatives of the people and in our employ, to forego the haughty BS when folks are suffering. But I don't really expect it from executives. Unless it's found that this dude is personally responsible for what seems to be an accidental explosion, I don't really mind him living his life.
I'm not sure what he could do to please everyone. Maybe join Obama in putting on the dive suit to get down there and put their fingers in the hole.
It seems to me this is just this guy's nature. Not that I like these smug MFers, mind you, and I really don't appreciate being called "small," but fish gotta swim.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Jun 10
I think the "small" remark was a poor choice by someone to whom English is not his first language. I'm quite sure he meant to say something like average American citizen or something like that.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
20 Jun 10
Yeah. I agree. I don't think he meant to use "small." I think he meant "unimportant plebs." 
But regardless, I fully expect snobby rich folk to do snobby rich folk things like yacht races and paying somebody to pay somebody to write checks while the average American citizen worries about the current and lasting effects of the catastrophe.
I don't hold it against those folks. More often than not, it's in the suit that they wear. They are who they are -- unlike an elitist politician, for example, who slums it up to get support and then lives the elitist snob lifestyle on our dime.
I personally don't demonize many businesspeople. I realize the score here and elsewhere. And even though BP seriously F'd up along the way and aren't doing the best of jobs now, I'd still rather take my chances with large corporations than government-run everything.
But regardless, I fully expect snobby rich folk to do snobby rich folk things like yacht races and paying somebody to pay somebody to write checks while the average American citizen worries about the current and lasting effects of the catastrophe.
I don't hold it against those folks. More often than not, it's in the suit that they wear. They are who they are -- unlike an elitist politician, for example, who slums it up to get support and then lives the elitist snob lifestyle on our dime.
I personally don't demonize many businesspeople. I realize the score here and elsewhere. And even though BP seriously F'd up along the way and aren't doing the best of jobs now, I'd still rather take my chances with large corporations than government-run everything.@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Jun 10
I think what he meant to say was the "little people"...as if that was any more acceptable. He also made a nice remark about inflated claims...as if all of those small people are as crooked as he is.
One observation for you matersfish. I never once felt that Ted Kennedy was snobby or elitist.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
20 Jun 10
Hi spalladino! Does he really expect anyone to side with him?
Nobody will! As far as we are concerned he doesn't deserve to
have one minutes peace until he fixes the mess that his company
made! I think he should go for a "swim" in the oil drenced
water and see how he likes not being able to breathe just like
the poor animals are being forced to be covered with the oil
and then see how he feels! The whole thing makes me sick! I
don't feel he had the right to go to any public event or do
anything until the mess is under control! Nice going Tony!
You are a complete azzhole and uncaring moron!
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Jun 10
I couldn't agree with you more, Opal. This was bad form on his part.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
20 Jun 10
Well, that is kind of funny. Here is a guy that has a job. Thats all. He gets paid for work. He takes a weekend away.
Then we have our President who swore to protect America, continued on his vacation and enjoyed multiple entertainments.
Curious question.
In my opinion Hayward is entitled to some down time and how he spends it is his business
@laglen (19759)
• United States
21 Jun 10
I hadnt realized that Hayward had single handedly caused the gusher. All this time, I thought he was talking head. Talking heads really aren't needed to fix such a disaster. A good example of this would be our President.
Regarding his contempt for everyday people for taking a day off....thats just silly.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
23 Jun 10
Talking heads are the representatives of the company...the face of the company...and the person who is supposed to take care of damage control and PR for the company. PR stands for Public Relations by the way...and the public down here are not very happy with him. No bother, laglen, you're not down here so I don't expect you to care. This is nothing more than political bantering to you.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Jun 10
laglen, your response surprises me...it really does. I never saw you as being so singleminded before. This has nothing to do with the president but if you find it perfectly acceptable for this wealthy man, who has already shown his barely veiled contempt for the everyday people whose lives his company has destroyed, to take the weekend to watch his yacht race, I guess that's your opinion.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Jun 10
It's one thing to get away from work and spend time with the family and quite another to go to a high-profile function that is mostly attended by the wealthy and influential. Not only is he rubbing in his own freedom from the problem, he's flinging his lifestyle in the faces of people who are losing their livelihoods and ways of life. I think that's what they resent and it's certainly what I resent.
When he said he just wanted his life back I could understand that. Anyone would. But this weekend shows a callousness that is unacceptable in this country. This man is a PR person's nightmare and he's really fueling the resentment and anger we all feel toward BP.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Jun 10
We haven't seen the worst of this crisis yet...not even close. This will be felt economically for years and, I agree, this was not the time to attend a ritzy event.
2 people like this
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
20 Jun 10
I have no problem with Mr Hayward having a life and doing things that he enjoys doing. Nobody should have to work 24hrs round the clock for days and days without a break. and i would think that the amount of stress that the man is under doing something enjoyable is helping with that.
I hope that the people that are having a hard time with him going to the yacht race are just as mad at Obama and Biden for playing golf for the weekend. especially when their are things our administration could have done right from the beginning to help which they did not and they are still not doing.
Mr Obama has no problems signing all those executive orders he has been signing...why did he not sign the waiver that would have put hundreds if not thousands of boats on the golf on day one that would have helped pull the oil off the surface and help keep it from getting to the shore.
Yes Bp is to blame for what happened, and they are responsible for it. but our government should have jumped in to protect our shores and the people that it is now effecting the most...but they did and are doing nothing........
@jb78000 (15139)
•
20 Jun 10
I don't think it is relevant what executives do with their weekends. It is however a silly decision image wise but that is only going to negatively affect himself and BP, unlike the stupid decisions the company has made to cut corners and cut costs whose results were tragic.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Jun 10
An image nightmare is more like it.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
22 Jun 10
IF he had half a brain and maybe a shred of conscience and sensitivity he would not have but I guess we already knew that wasn't the case! This guy is the perfect example of the empty suit CEO who basically does nothing but sit back and collect his millions in salary and benefits. It's a shame SNL is on summer hiatus because he's provided them with several ready made skits, no real writing required!
Annie
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
20 Jun 10
I think it was foolish and in poor taste, but seriously, what do you think the guy is doing when he's not at the race? He's not part of the cleanup crew or brainstorming team. It's even less of an issue to me than when the president takes a little vacation in the middle of this crisis. I'm sure in both instances they are getting necessary briefings, but neither are really that closely involved physically in what's happening in the gulf.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
23 Jun 10
He's just been so insulting and condescending towards us cheating Americans who will be filing bogus claims and who have interrupted his time. Apparently he never had a briefing in his life since he knows, and has never known, anything about anything...ever. I like the new PR guy better.
@sdmoonchild (731)
• United States
21 Jun 10
While its understandable that he needs to have some time for himself, I don't think a yacht race would be the answer considering what kind of mess he is in with the oil disaster. He should have been planning his time trying to figure out a way to help the victims of this disaster. I have an idea-how about a contest open to the general public on their thoughts on how to fix the oil spill? Winner or winners gets a generous cash prize and their ideas patented.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
22 Jun 10
Perhaps, by taking time off and doing something he enjoys, he can give his mind a chance to rest; so when he comes back to work, he'll be thinking more clearly. Sometimes you have to get away from a problem in order to find a solution to the problem. I would rather have those in charge thinking clearly after a bit of rest, rather than have their minds so muddled from a constant barrage of criticisms and questionable advice, they make worse decisions than what they've already made.
@mysticmaggie (2498)
• United States
21 Jun 10
It seems everyone is having more time for partying, golfing and yacht races than they do for a huge emergency. It's being treated more as a teaspoon of oil in a pan than a life threatening event.
@reallucky1 (19)
• United States
21 Jun 10
Unforuntely, Tony Hayward can not win whatever he does or wherever he goes. The people and press will blame him and others at BP for all that is wrong with the Gulf Coast for many years. To me I think yes BP is responsible but why does it take two months to begin the clean up process. While the process is just beginning the oil well is not capped and the problem still persists. This is completely unexcusable by BP the government, the environmental department. What were these oil companies going to do just keep letting these types of spills fall into already devasted regions by previous years Hurricanes. I guess these executives of BP need to lock themselves indoors away from cameras eyes during the hard times because they will never win an argument. And if you have seen Tony in front of the cameras it might be a good idea anyways. Everytime some one from BP opens there mouth we soon are issued an apology. They really can not win a press briefing or news story so it is probably my best advise, lay low for a while.
