The boat ramp at Ventura Harbor is usually a pretty chill spot. You see people struggling with trailers, sure, but nobody expects to see a $100,000 stainless steel truck acting like a submarine.
On March 10, 2025, that’s exactly what happened.
A Tesla Cybertruck owner was just trying to launch his jet ski. Instead, he ended up giving the Ventura Harbor Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and a local dive team a very long Monday morning. By the time the dust—well, the splash—settled, the truck was sitting at the bottom of the harbor in about 8 feet of water.
Honestly, it’s the kind of nightmare every boat owner has. But when it’s a Cybertruck, the internet loses its mind.
How a Jet Ski Launch Went South
Launching a boat is stressful. You’ve got people waiting behind you, the ramp is slippery, and the salt air is thick.
According to Captain Carson Shevitz of TowBoatUS Ventura, the driver made a classic, heartbreaking mistake. He thought he was in drive. He was actually in reverse. He hit the accelerator to pull back up the ramp, and the truck did exactly what it was told to do: it surged backward into the drink.
The truck didn't just get its tires wet. It slid. It kept going until the ocean was over the roof.
The driver had to scramble out before the vehicle fully submerged. One detail that really sealed the truck's fate was the window. Because the driver’s side window was open when he escaped, the interior didn't even have a chance. Saltwater rushed into every nook and cranny of that high-tech cabin.
The "Boat Mode" Reality Check
We’ve all seen the tweets. Back in 2022, Elon Musk claimed the Cybertruck would be "waterproof enough to serve briefly as a boat." He talked about crossing rivers and lakes. He even mentioned crossing the channel between Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas.
Ventura Harbor proved that "briefly" is the keyword there.
Tesla does have a Wade Mode. It’s a real feature. It raises the air suspension to the max height and actually pressurizes the battery pack to keep water out. But it has limits.
- Max depth: It’s designed for about 31.5 inches of water.
- Warranty: Tesla’s own documentation says damage from off-roading or water ingress isn't covered.
- The Salt Factor: Saltwater is a whole different beast compared to a freshwater pond.
The Cybertruck is heavy. Like, 6,800-plus pounds heavy. Once those tires lost grip on the slimy ramp, that momentum was a one-way ticket to the bottom. It turns out that being "airtight" enough to float for a second doesn't help much if your windows are down and you're attached to a jet ski trailer.
A Massive Recovery Effort
You can’t just hook a chain to a submerged EV and yank. It’s complicated.
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The recovery involved a small army: Ventura City Fire, Harbor Patrol, the Coast Guard, and even a game warden from Fish and Wildlife. They were worried about the lithium-ion battery. Saltwater and high-voltage batteries are a recipe for "thermal runaway"—basically a fire that’s nearly impossible to put out underwater.
A diver from TowBoatUS had to go down and find a way to hook it up. The front wheels were actually stuck in a right turn and wedged under the dock. They had to use a towboat to pull the truck sideways just to clear the dock before they could winch it onto a flatbed.
A Tesla field engineer was even called to the scene. They ended up setting a 45-foot "defensible space" around the truck once it was out of the water, just in case the battery decided to vent.
Can This Truck Be Saved?
Probably not.
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Saltwater is incredibly corrosive. It gets into the wiring harnesses, the sensors, and the battery cells. Even if you "dry it out in rice," the salt stays behind and eats the electronics from the inside out. Most insurance companies take one look at a submerged EV and write a check for a total loss immediately.
We might see this specific matte black, red-wheeled Cybertruck show up on a salvage auction site like Copart in a few months. Some YouTuber will probably buy it to see if they can "revive" it, but for the original owner, it’s a very expensive lesson in checking your gear selector.
Actionable Insights for EV Owners
If you're taking your Cybertruck—or any EV—to the boat ramp, keep these things in mind:
- Trust the Screen, Not Your Gut: Always double-check the gear indicator on the screen before you touch the pedal. The Cybertruck’s "auto-shift" and screen-based shifting can be tricky when you're in a hurry.
- Engage Wade Mode Early: If you're going near the water's edge, turn on Wade Mode before you get to the ramp. It takes a few minutes to pressurize the battery.
- Mind the Weight: The Cybertruck is heavier than most half-ton trucks. It will slide faster and harder on wet algae than a lighter vehicle.
- Window Safety: Keep your windows up until you are sure the vehicle is stable. If the worst happens and you go in, you want that extra time the seals buy you to figure out an exit.
The Ventura incident wasn't a failure of technology as much as it was a reminder that the ocean always wins. Musk's boat dreams are fun for marketing, but the reality of a boat ramp is a lot more unforgiving than a promo video.
To avoid a total loss, focus on ramp safety basics: use your parking brake every time you exit the vehicle and never rely on "floating" as a backup plan. If you are worried about your specific insurance coverage for water incidents, call your agent to confirm if "off-road" water damage is excluded from your policy before you head to the harbor.