The USCG increased Edmund Fitzgeralds load line in 1969, 1971, and 1973 to allow less minimum freeboard than Edmund Fitzgeralds original design allowed in 1958. This meant that Edmund Fitzgeralds deck was only above the water when she faced waves during the November 10 storm. Captain Paquette of Wilfred Sykes noted that this change allowed loading to 4,000 tons more than what Edmund Fitzgerald was designed to carry.
