Looking for a different angle on the solar eclipse? Windsor company taking viewers out on the water | CBC News

For Windsorites looking to find a unique view of next month’s total solar eclipse, one local company wants you to consider taking to the water. 

The Macassa Bay will run a special charter that day, taking passengers from Amherstburg to the western basin of Lake Erie to view the total solar eclipse. 

“We heard that this was the eclipses was going to be occurring and we just thought this would be a great event to bring people out to witness it,” said Paul Mancini, captain of the Macassa Bay for Windsor Premier Cruises. 

“We won’t be in an area of totality, but we’ll be close to it where we can get a good view of the eclipse.”

The voyage is about 90 per cent sold out of its 140-person capacity, Mancini said. Each passenger will be supplied with a pair of eclipse glasses. 

Mancini says they’re thrilled the response has been good, though surprised ticket sales have been so brisk with a month to go before eclipse day on April 8. 

“There seems to be a big interest in Essex County and … something that we felt would be a good opportunity for people visiting the area to witness what there is to offer and Essex County and view our waterway,” he said. 

‘I’m interested in seeing something like this, never witnessing a a solar eclipse before, a total solar eclipse. I can see the interest with the coming to the area to witness, to get a view of this up front.”

Tom Sobocan is the public relations director with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in Windsor. 

He says he excepts boats like the Macassa Bay, and the Pelee Islander — which is also running a sold-out voyage that day — will offer a good view of the eclipse. 

Sobocan said totality won’t be visible all over Essex County — Windsor, LaSalle and Lakeshore won’t be in the path. But the astronomical society will be at Colchester Harbour, Kingsville, Point Pelee and Jack Miner bird sanctuary, where totality will be visible. 

Sobocan warns observers to make sure to have eclipse glasses — and for those hoping to photograph the eclipse with a camera, they’ll need a solar filter or risk burning the camera’s sensor. 

“If you’re looking for a couple seconds at a partial eclipse you will definitely end up with eye damage or it could even lead to blindness,” he said, warning residents.

“But with solar eclipse glasses, as long as you’re taking the glasses off and putting them on with your back towards the sun, when you look at the sun, it’s totally safe to look at the sun for about up to three minutes of time at a time with the solar eclipse glasses.”

Tourism interest growing for solar eclipse day: Orr

Gordon Orr is the CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI).

He says the tourism agency has recently put together an eclipse guide available on its website for both locals and visitors. 

“We’re finding that a lot of people are wondering what’s happening with the solar eclipse and what they can see and do during that day,” Orr said. 

LISTEN: Local astronomy group to spend weeks preparing people for April 8 solar eclipse

He says TWEPI is tracking hotel bookings, which would typically be slower on a Monday night and have seen a bump.

Tourism interest in the Essex County, swaths of which are in the path of totality, will continue to pick up as eclipse day draws closer, he anticipates. 

“Science is fun. You know, everybody loves to see astronomy and this is something to participate in and we’re very fortunate to have it happening in this region,” Orr said.

“Whenever there’s opportunities that present themselves, this community harnesses those opportunities and and makes different venues and events accessible.”