Palghar: Marine location marker found on beach in Kelwe

MUMBAI: A three-feet long marine location marker, used by the navy and coast guard for search and rescue operations in the sea, was found by locals at Kore beach in Palghar’s Kelwe on Wednesday.
The device that was emitting smoke was diffused by the Thane Bomb Disposal and Detection Squad (BDDS). Though designed to sink once expended, it could have washed up on shore as a result of wind, tide or current.
Bhimsen Gaikwad, assistant police inspector, Kelwe coastal police, said that few fishermen noticed smoke coming from the device.They informed the police who reached the spot and alerted the BDDS and destroyed the marker.
Police said that marine location markers are generally deployed from helicopters and emit smoke and flame (to be used in the day or night) to indicate positions in the sea.
Locals said that it was the first time they had seen such a cylinder that contains red phosphorus.