TONAWANDA, N.Y. – Hundreds of Boats are expected to tread the waters at Tonawanda Gateway Harbor during Canal Fest and an thousands of additional tourists and locals are expected to attend the festival. 

Spectrum News got a first-hand look at how the City of Tonawanda Police Department enforces the law of the land on the water. 

"When summer rolls around this really picks up here, not just because of Canal Fest," said Lt. Scott Sheehan, TPD.

Patrols of the water are accomplished with the help of the multiple local agencies including the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office and Border Patrol. 

The boat is equipped with the most advanced technology to communicate with and help boaters in distress. 

"This has a lot more capabilities than the [police] car does," said Lt. Sheehan. 

Sheehan says he’s seen a number of accidents due to speeding and reckless boating. 

"On a day like today --where it’s really hot, We're just reminding everybody to wear your life jacket and watch the kids,” said Lt. Sheehan. “We see a lot of kids jumping off in the water to cool down and that's fine. We want everybody to have a good time, but we also want everybody to be safe." 

Police are also reminding boaters it is illegal to operate boats while intoxicated.