Practical Seamanship / Boat Systems

Bilge system

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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