Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Total Solar Eclipse is finally set to sweep its way through Western New York on Monday, as many in the region, from near and far, are ready to take in this once in a lifetime celestial event that won't be seen again locally for another 120 years.
While many have their plans on Monday to take in the eclipse from one of the several scheduled viewing events, or maybe from the comforts of their own home, some may think to take it in from the waters of Western New York, whether it's on Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Niagara River, etc.
While marinas like the Erie Basin Marina and Buffalo Harbor State Park are closed, other marinas in Niagara County and Grand Island have been confirmed by WBEN to be open come Monday.
With this possibility in play, it's putting agencies like the Erie County Sheriff's Office on alert for the unknown of how many people will look to hit the waters for the eclipse.
"We're anxiously awaiting to see exactly what the presence will be, but we will be there," said Brian Britzzalaro, Chief of Special Operations with the Erie County Sheriff's Office in an interview with WBEN. "Our two boats will be there, in conjunction with our federal, state and local partners, being the United States Coast Guard bringing a few boats in, New York State Police two boats, New York State Parks Police one boat, and our partners with the Buffalo Police Department will have their boat out with their underwater recovery team. We'll all be on the upper and lower Niagara River, waiting to see exactly whatever needs to be addressed and we can respond to, in kind."
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Britzzalaro admits preparing for this event is something new for the Sheriff's Office and the other agencies tasked with overlooking the local waters.
"We're training all the time for any type of an event that happens on the water marine-wise. But this particular event, we're going in with our eyes wide-open, and preparing for the most boats on the water and hoping for the best," Britzzalaro noted. "We've had a number of meetings leading up to this with the Erie County Emergency Services Department in conjunction, again, with all of our federal, state and local partners, just trying to be out there, aware and ready for anything."
In the weeks and days leading up to Monday's eclipse, Britzzalaro says the Sheriff's Office has already prepped its boats for the season ahead on the waters of Western New York. At this point, the boats will remain in the water until the fall.
"Everything is on our boats, they're are outfitted. We have thermo on the boat, nigh vision, sonar. We have two, what's called, 'safe boats' with the Erie County Sheriff's Office, two 31-foot safe boats with two 350 horsepower engines. We can respond very quickly to any type of situation. Very, very quickly and rapidly," Britzzalaro said. "Also, we have a great asset in the air with our helicopter, Air One, that'll be airborne on Monday also for any type of observations that they see, or anything that we can see that we can radio to them."
While it remains unknown just how many people will be out on the water come Monday, Britzzalaro says there are some key things to take note of if anyone's planning to view the eclipse from any watercraft.
"When you're out on the water, it's significantly chillier. I would say if you're going out on the boat, dress warm. The air temperatures will be, obviously warmer inland, but on the water, it's much colder," he said. "I would say warmer gloves, hats, whatever have you, I believe the temperature on Monday in the water will be 43 degrees. The dangers of cold water can be deceiving when air temperatures are warmer, so dress warm out there."
And on top of making sure your registration is up to date and your insurance is intact, it is also important to remember your life jackets.
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And for those who are planning on heading out on the waters for Monday's eclipse, Britzzalaro asks boaters to be courteous and adhere to the rules of the water.
"Just stay within the nautical miles-per-hour in the wake zone. I wouldn't be going out racing around, or causing any type of distraction or a danger to the other boaters. But by and large, the boating community, they're very safe individuals. They adhere to all nautical laws, navigational laws and they're very cautious of one another," Britzzalaro said. "We're not expecting anything nefarious on the water, but just be careful, be courteous of your fellow boaters out there."