By Amy Mitchell-Whittington
Two marine markers were blown up late last week after washing up on the southern end of Whitsunday Island and Main beach on Stradbroke Island.
Whitsunday water police joined forces with two Royal Australian Air Force bomb technicians last Friday to help destroy a dud marine marker buoy that had washed up on Crayfish Bay.
Water police joined forces with Air Force bomb technicians to dispose of a marine marker buoy at Crayfish Bay.Credit: Whitsunday Water Police
The RAAF bomb technicians used plastic explosives to destroy the dud marine flare.
The following day police on Stradbroke Island assisted the Australian Federal Police in detonating another dud marine marker that had washed up on Main beach on Stradbroke Island.
A marine marker buoy was detonated by Air Force bomb techniciansCredit: Whitsunday Water Police
A marine marker is a smoke marker that is typically dropped from military aircraft to map out areas in the ocean.
The marker, once it lands on the water and emits smoke, is supposed to self-detonate and sink.
These marine markers are often used during military exercises.
A spokesperson from Whitsunday water police said the dud marine marker had potentially floated to Whitsunday Island from the military training area in Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton.
While sightings of these marine markers are uncommon, police said residents should treat the matter seriously.
If you come across a marine marker, do not approach it and report the matter to police as soon as possible.
Police suggest downloading the free Policelink app to your smart phone, taking a picture of the device and then sending it through to police who will be able to determine the exact location of the device.