Bilge pump

A bilge pump is a water pump used to remove bilge water. Since fuel can be present in the bilge, electric bilge pumps are designed to not cause sparks. Electric bilge pumps are often fitted with float switches which turn on the pump when the bilge fills to a set level.

Since bilge pumps can fail, use of a backup pump is often advised.
The primary pump is normally located at the lowest point of the bilge, while the secondary pump would be located somewhat higher.
This ensures that the secondary pump activates only when the primary pump is overwhelmed or fails, and keeps the secondary pump free of the debris in the bilge that tends to clog the primary pump.

Back to Seamanship & Safety →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

SAILMENTOR

Learn the ropes — sailing skills, seamanship, and the calculators every sailor needs.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.