Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== U.S. Marine Board of Investigation Marine Casualty Report SS EDMUND FITZGERALD, Sinking in Lake Superior RECOMMENDATIONS --------------- It is recommended: 1. That Part 45 of Title 46 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (Great Lakes Load Lines) be amended immedi- ately to rescind the reduction in minimum freeboard brought about by the 1969, 1972 and 1973 changes to the Load Line Regulations. 2. That any subsequent amendments to the Great Lakes Load Line Regulations as they apply to ore carriers, such as FITZGERALD, reflect full consideration of the necessity for a means of detecting and removing flooding water from the cargo hold and for watertight sub-division of the cargo hold spaces. Such an appraisal should take due cognizance of of: a. The severe weather and sea conditions encountered by these vessels and the resulting high degree of deck wetness, and, b. The inherent difficulty in meeting and maintaining a weathertight standard with the system of hatches, coamings, covers, gaskets and clamps used on FITZGERALD and many other Great Lakes vessels. 3. That the owners and operators of Great Lakes ore carrying vessels undertake a positive and continuing program of repair and maintenance to insure that all closures for openings above the freeboard deck are weathertight, that is, capable of prevent- ing the penetration of water into the ship in any sea condition. This program should include frequent adjustment of hatch clamp- ing devices and vent closures and prompt repair of all hatches, coamings, covers and clamping devices found damaged or deterior- ated. 105 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. That Part 45 of Title 46 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations be amended to require closing and securing of hatches when underway in open waters and closing of vent caps when underway in a loaded condition. A visual inspection of the closure of hatch covers and vent caps should be conducted and logged by a licensed officer prior to sailing in a loaded condition. 5. That the Coast Guard undertake a program to evaluate hatch closures presently used on Great Lakes ore carriers with a view toward requiring a more effective means of closure of such deck fittings. 6. That the owners and operators of Great Lakes vessels, in cooperation with the maritime unions and training schools, undertake a program to improve the level of crew training in the use of lifesaving equipment installed on board vessels and in other emergency procedures. This program should specifically include training in the use of inflatable life rafts and afford crews of vessels the opportunity to see a raft inflated. 7. That Part 97 of Title 46 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations be amended to require crew training in launching, inflation and operation of inflatable life rafts. 8. That the Coast Guard institute a continuing program of inspections and drills for Great Lakes vessels prior to each severe weather season. The severe weather season should cor- respond to the Winter Load Line season, i.e., 1 November through 31 March. Under this program, just before the severe weather season began, there would be an inspection to verify that the crew had been trained in the use of the lifesaving equipment and drills would be conducted with the crew then on board the vessel. There would be a physical inspection of the Spar Deck and all critical structural and non-structural members exposed 106 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- to damage from cargo loading and off-loading equipment includ- ing, but not limited to, hatch coamings, hatch covers, vent covers, tank tops, side slopes, hatch-end girders, arches, spar deck stringers, and spar deck plating. Additionally, all emergency drills would be witnessed, and alarms, watertight closures, navigation equipment and required logs would be inspected. 9. That the Coast Guard take positive steps to insure that the Masters of Great Lakes vessels are provided with information, as is required by the regulations, concerning loading and ballast- ing of Great Lakes vessels, and that the information provided include not only normal loaded and ballasted conditions, but also details on the sequences of loading, unloading, ballasting, deballasting and the intermediate stages thereof as well as information on the effect upon the vessel of accidental flooding from damage or other sources. 10. That the Coast Guard complete, as soon as possible, the studies, currently underway, which concern primary lifesaving equipment, its launching, and disembarkation from stricken vessels. And, that measures be implemented promptly to improve the entire abandon ship system, including equipping and training personnel, automatic launching of equipment and alerting rescue forces. 11. That the Coast Guard schedule maintenance status for buoy tenders and icebreakers located in the Great Lakes so as to maximize surface search and rescue capability during the severe weather season, consistent with their primary missions. 12. That Subpart 94.60 of Title 46 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, which requires emergency position indicat- ing radio beacons (EPIRB), be amended to include requirements 107 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- for such beacons on vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the severe weather season. 13. That the Coast Guard promulgate regulations which require vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the severe weather season to have, for each person on board, a suit designed to protect the wearer from exposure and hypothermia. 14. That navigation charts showing the area immediatelty north of Caribou Island be modified to show the extent of the shoals north of the island and that this modification be given the widest possible dissemination including Notices to Mariners. 15. That the Coast Guard foster and support programs dedicated to increasing awareness, on the part of all concerned with vessel operations, inspection and maintenance, of the hazards faced by vessels in Great Lakes service, particularly during the severe weather season. The programs should make maximum use of company safety programs, safety bulletins, publicatioins and trade journals. 16. That no further action be taken and that this case be closed. 108 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (signature) W. W. Barrow ------------------------- W. W. BARROW, Rear Admiral, USCG Chairman (signature) A. S. Zabinski -------------------------- A. S. ZABINSKI, Captain, USCG Member (signature) J. A. Wilson --------------------------- J. A. WILSON, Captain, USCG Member (signature) C. S. Loosmore --------------------------- C. S. LOOSMORE, Commander, USCG Member and Recorder 109 ===========================================================================