Bilge System Specifications:

Length of Vessel
(metres)

Manual

Pumps

Power

Pumps

No

Capacity kl/hr No

Capacity kl/hr

Less than 7.5 m

4.0

7.5 to 10 m

4.0

10 to 12.5 m

5.5

5.0

12.5 to 17.5 m

5.5

11.0

17.5 to 25 m

11.0

25 to 35 m

15.0

1. Under Survey, bilge systems must be able to pump and drain any water-tight
compartment in the vessel.
2. All pumps must be self-priming.
3. Power pumps may be powered by either an auxiliary internal combustion engine, or
an electric motor. However, when more than one pump is specified, each must have its
own separate power source.
Pumps may be wired up for either manual or automatic operation.
On small vessels, the main engine driven bilge pump also normally doubles as the fire
pump.
4. Strums, strainers, or mud boxes, must be fitted to each bilge suction, to stop debris
entering the system and fouling valves, cocks, pipes and pumps.
5. Valves or cocks must be of a suitable type, or arranged to prevent back flooding.

6. Bilge level alarms must be fitted to the bilges in the machinery space. The alarms
must be audible over the engine noise.
7. Bilges in engine rooms and compartments must be ventilated by fans and open
vents. These will remove any build-up of vapours and gases. The fans must be
stopped, and vents closed, if a fire occurs in the space.

Pumps
Pumps fall into two broad categories.
Non-positive centrifugal pumps use a rotating solid or flexible impeller, to throw the
water to the outlet. (Figure 46)

Positive displacement pumps use the principle of expanding and reducing volumes.

Any air leak in the suction side of any pump is likely to stop, or seriously reduce the flow
from the pump. Carefully check the suction side seal.
Figure 46: Centrifugal Pump

In the centrifugal pump in Figure 46, the inlet feeds

water to the vacuum position, where it is flung to the
discharge, around the outside of the casing.
Centrifugal pumps are not self-priming unless an air
pump is fitted to remove the air and maintain the
suction.

Figure 47: Stabsco Positive

Displacement
Flexible Impeller Pump

Figure 48: Mechanical

Pump Seal

The Stabsco flexible impeller pump in Figure 47 and 49 is a positive displacement type.
As the flexible impeller lobe passes the offset plate, an expanding space is created
which draws in water. The water is carried around the casing in the impeller space, but
as the impeller lobe reaches the offset plate, the lobe is bent to squeeze the water into
the discharge pipe. The flexible impeller is usually made of neoprene for water, but may
be made of other materials for handling oils or fuels.

Figure 49: Jabsco Flexible Impeller Pump Construction

The shaft may be sealed by packing as shown in Figure 49, or by a mechanical seal as
shown in Figure 48. Any air drawn into the pump through suction side seals will break
the suction, and stop or slow the flow from the pump. All suction side connections must
also be air-tight.
Flexible impeller pumps rely on the fluid to lubricate the impeller and seals. They will be
damaged if the pump runs dry. Therefore the pump must be constantly supervised
unless an automatic switch, or a method of keeping the pump primed is provided.
Semi-Rotary Hand Pumps
Semi-rotary hand pumps (Figure 50) are often used in small vessels. An easy handaction produces a substantial flow from the pump.
When the handle is moved in one direction, a side-chamber is squeezed, opening a
one-way valve and forcing water into the main chamber. This displaces the water in the
main chamber into the outlet. At the same time, water is drawn in to fill the other sidechamber.
When the handle is moved in the other direction, water is forced from the other side
chamber into the outlet, while the first chamber is re-filled.

Figure 50: Semi-Rotary Hand Pump

These pumps must be well maintained to prevent them seizing, and to prevent the
valves sticking open due to foreign matter. The efficiency of the pump will also be
greatly reduced if the seals become worn or damaged.
The handle should never be forced hard over against the stops, as either the rotor or
the stops may be damaged.
Strums, Strainers, and Mud Boxes

Strums (Figure 51) are boxes shaped from perforated steel plate.

They are mounted at the suction end of pipes into bilges, holds or engine room, to
prevent larger objects entering, clogging, and damaging the bilge system and pumps.
They are usually made so they can be easily dismantled for cleaning. They may be
held together with brass bolts, but more often with tongues and split brass pins.
Strainers

Figure 52: Strainer

Strainers (Figure 52) do a similar job to strums, but must be mounted for easier access,
as frequent use means constant cleaning.
The suction inlet pipe goes to the lowest part of the bilge, with sufficient space at the
end to let the water get in.
The body and lid are usually of cast iron to provide an air-tight suction seal. Other parts
are mild steel. The strainer plate is removable for cleaning.

Mud Boxes

Figure 53: Mud Box

A mud box (Figure 53) is similar to a strainer, but has a dam at the base of the strainer
plate.
Solids dropping off the strainer plate are retained in the dam, and prevented from falling
back down the suction pipe into the bilge.

Valves
Screw-Down Valves

The screw-down valve (Figure 54) is easy to maintain and repair. It is designed to give
full bore delivery. In the non-return version there is no connection between the valve
and the spindle. A back-flow into the open valve will force the valve down against the
seat, blocking it off. In low pressure applications, there may be insufficient head at the
inlet to lift a valve which may stick to the seat.
The screw-lift version can be used in these applications, as the valve is forcibly lifted
from the seat, but has no non-return function.
(This problem can be overcome by placing a non-return check valve in the line before
the screw lift valve.)
The spindle gland can be adjusted with a gland nut, to reduce weepage.

Globe Valve for Overboard Discharges

Figure 55: Globe Valve

The pull lift globe valve (Figure 55) for overboard discharges, is opened by a straight
pull-lift.
The wedge inserted through a slot in the shaft will hold the spindle raised.
The valve will move freely while water is discharged, but when the water stops flowing,
sea pressure will close the non-return valve

Other Valves in Common Use

Non-Return Check Valves use a pivoting flap (Figure 56) or a spring loaded plunger to
allow flow in only one direction. These may be used to prevent back flooding into bilge
compartments, etc. Types using flaps must be mounted so gravity will help close the
flap when flow stops. Back pressure will hold them closed.
The Gate Valve (Figure 57) uses a tapered gate which slides firmly into a seat when
closed. The gate valve opens the entire pipe without obstruction when fully opened.

Plug or Ball Cocks (Figure 58) use either a cone shaped plug in a matching seat, or a
ball in a matching seat. With the cock turned on, a port through the centre of the cone
or ball lines up with the pipe. With the cock turned off, the port does not line up and the
pipe is blocked.

F
igure 58: Plug Cock

F
igure 56: Non-return
check valve

Figure 57: Gate Valve