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Published: February 10 2012

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- An inactive mine used for training purposes and found off the Florida coast may be a relic from World War II, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

The Coast Guard officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told United Press International the mine was discovered by a recreational boater Thursday afternoon about a mile off Dania Beach and looked to be an old, inactive training device.

The mine appeared spherical not cylindrical as first reported. The spokesman said it was old but he disagreed with fellow officers who said they thought it was a World War II-era device.

The Fort Lauderdale Coast Guard Station dispatched a boat to investigate. The Coast Guard then established a perimeter to keep boaters and bathers away and called the Jacksonville Naval Air Station to have a crew drive down to determine what the device was and whether it was explosive, the spokesman told UPI.

The mine was towed to the Fort Lauderdale Coast Guard Station where it was taken by the Navy to be redeployed.