This Is What Happens When Your Boat’s Bilge Is Full
Sailors have been coping with bilge water for a long time, which is the fluid present in the boat but below the floor planks and the engine. There are several sources through which bilge water can enter. You’ll eventually have to cope with significant repercussions if you overlook your leftover bilge water, which is why you must have a bilge pump on hand to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BILGE PUMP?
Prevents flooding
Fluids from leaks, outflow, and washing down all end up in the ship’s bilge wells. These wells will ultimately overflow and leak into the engine compartment if you ignore them. Oily water may harm gear if it rises and hits the engine. Additionally, it will impact the stability of the boat.
The risk of overflowing bilge water is significantly greater for leisure boats. Without deep bilge wells, only a small amount of extra water might damage the boat’s systems. All it takes for your boat’s systems to fail is a period of intense rain or some heavy waves, but you’ll never have to stress about flooding if your bilge pump is functioning. Usually, boat bilge pumps come with an automatic control valve that turns on when the water level exceeds the set limit.
Prevent ship drowning
A bilge pump can save lives in crises in addition to its usual function of draining water from bilge wells. It can efficiently spit the accumulated water out quicker than it enters if your ship has a minor hole and water is pouring in. You can patch the hole or set up an emergency anchor when the incoming water stops, keeping your boat from drowning.
You should, however, never rely on your bilge pump to keep you afloat. Fix any holes in your boat right away and we advise installing an emergency bilge pump with the largest feasible capacity. In case of an incident, you can also use fire fighting pumps to pump the water out. It can at least offer you sufficient time to safely leave the board if the hole is too big for your bilge pump to manage.
Legal requirement
Going into the deep seas without a bilge pump is not only dangerous, but it’s also against the law. Particularly on commercial ships, maritime rules are strict about regulating that boats have a good bilge system for emergencies. If you don’t know how to use it, simply having the pumps is insufficient. Choosing a bilge pump for big vessels with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification will guarantee that you are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT BILGE PUMP?
Making the proper pump selection means the difference between saving or drowning your ship. You should also be aware of your needs in advance to help save you from spending a lot of money on a pump that won’t meet your regular bilge pump requirements.
HOW MANY BILGE PUMPS ARE NECESSARY?
Your boat needs a bilge pump in every waterproof cabin and in every space where water can’t move to the adjacent space. In big ships, pipes are connected to three, four, or more bilge pumps from each compartment, allowing them to drain every space without putting a pump in each one. If your ship has enormous, strong bilge pumps with intricate piping systems, it will save you a lot in the long run.
THE VERDICT
A bilge pump serves a fundamental role on boats. Its main goal is to collect extra water and it usually removes excess water by producing pressure or vacuum to evacuate. You need to learn how the boat’s bilge works, and where the controls and pumps are before you sail.