Well they're all out now, thank goodness. Musk at least tried to do something and he did it quickly. Where was say, the US Navy?

In the end it seems they dropped full air tanks at regular points long the route out. A super stressed kid can probably go through a tank in short order. I would expect they used one or more of those underwater battery powered pullers so they wouldn't have to kick for the full distance.

Simplest is often best in these things but don't throw shade on Musk just because he made an effort.