Coast Guard report on SS EDMUND FITZGERALD

report

The Coast Guard's 1977 report regarding the sinking of the EDMUND FITZGERALD in Lake Superior in 1975. The report details the facts and testimony gathered by investigators, summarizes the agency's conclusions, and sets forth the changes the Coast Guard is implementing. Because of the limited communications before the sinking and the death of all crew members, investigators did not have enough information to determine a proximate cause for the sinking, and they found no negligence or misconduct. However, there is a list of contributing factors and a series of recommendations for improved safety on Great Lakes ships, many of which were adopted by the Commandant of the Coast Guard.