Practical Seamanship / Boat Systems

Bilge system

Technical visualTypical bilge system
Typical bilge systemA conceptual bilge system showing automatic and manual control paths, protected electrical supply, pump, hose and discharge. Components such as check valves and high-water alarms vary by boat.1BATTERY2FUSE /BREAKER3AUTO ORMANUAL SWITCH4BILGE5PUMP6HOSE7DISCHARGE
Typical bilge systemA conceptual bilge system showing automatic and manual control paths, protected electrical supply, pump, hose and discharge. Components such as check valves and high-water alarms vary by boat.1BATTERY2FUSE / BREAKER3AUTO OR MANUAL SWITCH4BILGE5PUMP6HOSE + DISCHARGE
Know which pumps are automatic, where they discharge and how to test them. A pump does not make an uncontrolled leak acceptable.

A typical bilge system can include:

pump

float or electronic automatic switch

manual switch

fuse/breaker

wiring

hose

discharge fitting

check valve in some designs

high-water alarm in some boats

Know:

which pumps are automatic

which are manually controlled

where they discharge

their electrical supply

how to test them

A functioning bilge pump does not make an uncontrolled hull leak acceptable.

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