A Tesla Cybertruck found itself in deep water on Monday after a botched attempt to launch a Jet Ski at Ventura Harbor. The incident led to a multi-agency effort to retrieve the submerged vehicle without causing a dangerous battery fire.
Around 11 a.m., Ventura Port District Harbor Patrol officers noticed the truck floating in about eight feet of water. The driver mistakenly shifted the vehicle into reverse instead of drive, sending it down the ramp and into the harbor.
Carson Shevitz, the captain of TowBoatUS Ventura, coordinated the rescue mission. He recalled that when he learned it was a Cybertruck, his first thought was about the lithium-ion batteries. “It wasn’t an ‘oh cool,’ it was an ‘oh great,’” he said, expressing concern over the potential hazards.
Shevitz jumped into the water and attached the truck to a tow truck to pull it back on land. He worked closely with Tesla and fire officials to ensure the operation was safe, given the risks associated with the vehicle’s battery system. Fortunately, no signs of battery damage were observed during the recovery, such as bubbling or hissing, which can indicate a serious issue.
After the truck was pulled out, Tesla advised setting up a 45-foot perimeter around it to ensure safety. Their engineers confirmed that the vehicle was safe enough to be transported back to their service center.
This was not the first time Shevitz and his team had to recover a vehicle from the water, but it was certainly the first Cybertruck. The entire operation took less than two hours and involved several agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
As the incident unfolded, many onlookers gathered to see the unusual spectacle of a Cybertruck being rescued from the harbor. It served as a reminder that even the most advanced vehicles can encounter unexpected challenges.