A large, round mine found floating a mile off Dania Beach Thursday prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to close the beach and surrounding waters, authorities said.
Coast Guard crews from Station Fort Lauderdale and the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin were enforcing a safety zone near the mine.
It all began around noon when a passing boater reported seeing what appeared to be a mine bobbing in the ocean waters about one mile offshore.
Later in the day, the Coast Guard confirmed the object was indeed a mine.
Crew members from the U.S. Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Six Detachment are on the way from Mayport Station, near Jacksonville. The team is expected to positively identify and safely retrieve and dispose of the object, the Coast Guard said.
All vessels from cargo ships to pleasure boats will be required to maintain a minimum 1,000 yard distance from the site while Navy personnel conduct operations.
Dania Beach residents and visitors were ordered to stay off the beach and the Dania Beach Pier.
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