Portion of torpedo found off Galilee

NARRAGANSETT. R.I. (WPRI) - The Coast Guard, Narragansett Police and other officials responded to the Port of Galilee after the battery pack portion of a torpedo was discovered in the waters offshore.

The Coast Guard told Eyewitness News a fishing vessel found the battery pack in the water Thursday afternoon.

The device had a warning on it, and so the Coast Guard sent out a response ship to create a "buffer zone" in the area.

A 50 foot perimeter was set up around the boat.

"The response that happened was on the cautious side, from the manufacturer it was recommended to keep a  400 foot perimeter around the device," officials said.

People were evacuated from the area for about 45 minutes.

"It possibly could release some gases that power the lithium battery and it could also maybe melt it down, overheat. But the danger from an actual big explosion is minimum."

Authorities say the concern was related to the high-powered lithium battery, belonging to Lockheed Martin, potentially leaking.

Lockheed Martin is in the process of bringing a special canister down from New Hampshire to safely remove the battery from the boat.