Bilge Pump

A pump used to remove unwanted water from the lowest internal parts of a vessel.

It may be electric, manual or portable, and is normally arranged so water collecting in the bilges can be discharged overboard. Automatic pumps often use a float switch, while manual pumps provide a backup if electrical power is unavailable. The system should be checked regularly, because debris, blocked strainers, flat batteries or failed switches can stop it working when needed. It is not a substitute for finding and dealing with the source of water ingress.