SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- BP PLC Chief Executive Tony Hayward was spotted attending a prestigious yacht race Saturday, as his company deflects criticism for its handling of one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Hayward was spotted by photographers on his yacht, "Bob," which was competing at the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race off the Isle of Wight.

According to an Associated Press report, BP BP, -1.18% spokeswoman Sheila Williams confirmed that Hayward was "taking a break" from overseeing BP's ongoing effort to stem the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, to watch Bob participate in the race.

Hayward was grilled at a U.S. congressional hearing on Thursday, where he provided few details about BP's conduct prior to the Gulf spill, and its handling of the disaster.

Following a meeting with President Barack Obama, BP had on Wednesday agreed to set up a $20 billion escrow account to cover damage resulting from the spill.

A drilling rig at BP's Macondo field in the Gulf co-owned with Anadarko Petroleum Corp. APC, +1.41% blew out in April, killing 11 workers and starting a flow of oil that scientists estimate is gushing up to 60,000 barrels of crude a day into the water.

Anadarko on Friday sought to distance itself from the disaster, saying in a statement that BP operated improperly in the period leading up to the blow out, and is therefore liable for the resulting damage.

BP said in its own statement that it strongly disagrees with Anadarko's allegations.