Tesla Cybertruck Rescued from Ventura Harbor
On Monday, an unusual incident unfolded at Ventura Harbor when a Tesla Cybertruck unintentionally sank into 8 feet of water, triggering a multi-agency rescue operation. Emergency responders needed to act quickly and cautiously to retrieve the submerged vehicle, particularly due to the risks posed by its lithium-ion battery.
Incident Overview
The series of events started shortly before 11 a.m. when officers from the Ventura Port District Harbor Patrol noticed the electric vehicle floating near the boat launch ramp. The truck’s driver accidentally put the vehicle in reverse instead of drive after launching a Jet Ski, resulting in the Cybertruck sliding down the ramp and into the water.
Rescue Operations
Captain Carson Shevitz of TowBoatUS Ventura led the recovery efforts, highlighting the importance of safety protocols given the potential hazards associated with the truck’s battery system. “When I first heard that it’s a Cybertruck, I immediately thought of the batteries,” Shevitz explained. “It wasn’t an ‘oh cool,’ it was an ‘oh great,’ because there are a lot of unknowns we have to figure out.”
Collaboration with Authorities
The rescue involved coordination with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Ventura City Fire Department, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Shevitz himself entered the water to attach a tow line to the submerged vehicle, which was then brought ashore with careful planning to prevent any dangerous incidents.
Concerns Over Lithium-Ion Batteries
Tesla founder Elon Musk had previously claimed that the Cybertruck was “waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat,” but this incident raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the lithium-ion batteries used in the vehicle. There is a significant risk that damaged batteries could catch fire or release toxic gases if exposed to saltwater.
Fortunately, during the recovery, Shevitz and his team did not observe any signs of battery damage, such as bubbling or hissing. This indicated that the truck’s electronics were likely intact. He noted, “Tesla advised that the best thing to do was to set up a perimeter of about 45 feet of defensible space around the vehicle once we pulled it out.” After verification by Tesla’s engineers, it was deemed safe to transport the truck to their service center.
Conclusion
The entire mission, which involved multiple regional agencies, was executed in less than two hours. Shevitz remarked on the spectacle of the event, stating, “It’s a rare thing to see, so I’m guessing everyone just wanted to see what was going on.” This incident marks the first recovery of a Cybertruck by TowBoatUS Ventura, though the team has frequented similar calls for boat rescues.
In summary, while the Cybertruck’s unintended plunge into the harbor raised concerns about safety and battery integrity, the coordinated response ensured that the retrieval process was handled with caution, preserving the vehicle and the surrounding environment.
