Four participants will complete each stage of the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim, taking turns swimming 30-minute intervals near their furnished support boat.  All four swimmers may be in the water for the start and finish of each stage, and when something really cool is happening (like swimming near the Soo Locks).

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While you are swimming, your support boat will carry your three teammates and your own support team consisting of a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain, First Mate, Tactical Critical Care Paramedic, and Jim "The Shark" Dreyer (Event Director & world record swimmer), who will be first in the water in the unlikely event of a water rescue. 

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This is a historical experience, not a race, so other than tagging your teammate when relieving them in the water and staying near and visible to personnel on the boat, rules are few and only related to safety.  You have your choice of swimming attire (including wetsuits), and may wear propulsion devices (such as fins).