"We made sure our constable was in his good undies for that one," said Mr Dolbel.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council environmental officer Ian Lilburn was on his way to work when he noticed the partially submerged vehicle near the Westshore Sea Scouts before calling police.
"I was coming across the Pandora Rd bridge, just looking around as I usually do on my way to work, when I saw something in the water sticking out," Mr Lilburn said.
"When I first drove by you always think 'is there someone in there?"'
As an environmental officer, Mr Lilburn said he was delighted that the vehicle was towed out of the water quickly before the oil in the engine could cause any harm.