Australian Defence Force says unexploded ordnance found on Cabarita Beach

Defence personnel were called to a popular beach after an unexploded item washed up onto the sand. Now they can reveal what it was.

The Department of Defence says a canister found at Cabarita Beach has been assessed as Mk 8 Marine Marker and declared safe.

A visit to the beach turned into a military retrieval operation after an unexploded item was found washed up on the sand.

A Department of Defence spokesman said a member of the public found the canister at Cabarita Beach on Thursday and reported it to police.

The spokesman said the item was a Mk 58 Marine Marker, which emits fire and smoke.

“These are typically used during search and rescue operations and training serials,” the spokesman said.

“They were assessed as safe for transport to be disposed of at a later date.”

The markers can be launched day or night from high-speed aircraft, helicopters or surface ships to provide a long-burning, smoke and flame reference-point on the ocean’s surface.

The spokesman said Defence routinely helped police recover or dispose of suspected unexploded military ordnance found in public areas.

“If a member of the public finds a suspicious item, such as unexploded ordnance, or has any already in their possession, they should not touch or disturb it,” the spokesman said.

“The local police should be contacted and they will arrange for military experts to attend and dispose of the item, as required.”

Further information on unexploded ordnance and how suspicious items should be dealt with can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au/uxo/.