Crossword Genius

This vehicle will not go under water (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

float

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'go under water' is the definition.
'float' can be an answer for 'go' (floating is a kind of going). I am unsure of the 'under water' bit.

'this vehicle will not' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'not' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'vehicle' could be 'flat' (flat is a kind of vehicle) and 'flat' is found within the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for float that I've seen before include "Petty cash - milk vehicle - fishing aid" , "cash in hand" , "Carnival display" , "Levitate" , "Put forward (an idea)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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