10.1 General System Requirements
10.1.1 A vessel should have an efficient bilge pumping system, with suction pipes so
arranged that any compartment (other than a tank permanently used for the carriage of
liquids which is provided with efficient means of pumping or drainage) can be drained.
10.1.2 Provided the safety of a vessel is not impaired, the Certifying Authority may
permit dispensation from the means of pumping or drainage of particular compartments.
10.1.3 A bilge pump (other than a portable pump) should be self-priming and be capable
of being operated with all hatchways and companionways closed.
10.1.4 When considered necessary to protect the bilge suction line from obstruction, an
efficient strum box should be provided.
10.1.5 When considered necessary, to prevent back flooding, bilge suction valves should
be of non-return type.
10.1.6 Means of providing efficient bilge pumping other than those described in this
text may be considered provided that full information is submitted to and approved by
the Certifying Authority.
10.1.7 Reference should be made to section 28.2 which contains requirements for
prevention of pollution of the sea.
10.1.8 All compartments shall be able to be drained when the vessel is heeled to an
angle of 10 degrees.
10.2 Vessels Carrying 16 or More Persons or Operating in Area Categories 0 or 1
10.2.1 A vessel should be provided with at least two bilge pumps situated in not less
than two separate spaces, one of which should be hand operated with a capacity of not
less than 70 litres per minute. Where two pumps are fitted in this arrangement, the hand
operated pump may be omitted in favour of a second powered pump providing the two pumps
draw power from independent power sources. All pumped spaces should be capable of being
drained after the failure of one pump.
10.2.2 The bilge pumps should have a combined capacity of not less than 210 litres per
minute. One pump should be power driven with a capacity not less than 140 litres per
minute.
10.3 Vessels Carrying 15 or Fewer Persons and Operating in Area Categories 2 to 6
10.3.1 Unless otherwise specified in section 10.4, a vessel should be provided with at
least two bilge pumps, one of which should be hand operated with a capacity of not less
than 70 litres per minute, situated in two separate spaces. Where two pumps are fitted
in this arrangement, the hand operated pump may be omitted in favour of a second powered
pump providing the two pumps draw power from independent power sources. All pumped
spaces should be capable of being drained after the failure of one pump. The bilge pumps
should have a combined capacity of not less than 140 litres per minute.
10.4 Open Boats, Inflatable Boats and Boats with a Buoyant Collar
10.4.1 All open boats, of 6 metres in length and over, should carry a hand bailer or
bucket in addition to the bilge pumping requirements in section 10.2 or 10.3.
10.4.2 For vessels of less than 6 metres in length, operating in Category 6, a minimum
of one hand powered bilge pump or a bailer or a bucket is to be provided.
10.4.3 Buckets required for this section may also be counted in any requirements for
buckets given in section 15.4.
10.5 Bilge Alarms
10.5.1 A bilge alarm should be fitted;
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.1 in any watertight compartment containing propulsion machinery; and
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.2 in any other compartment likely to accumulate bilge water, i.e. where a skin
fitting is present, excluding void spaces.
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.3 This is not required where the bilge level can be readily seen on a boat with
open bilges.
10.5.2 To prevent pollution, compartments containing potential pollutants, including
machinery spaces, should not be fitted with auto-start bilge pumps.
10.5.3 An auto-start bilge pump serving a clean compartment where a significant quantity
of water could accumulate unnoticed, should be fitted with an audible alarm at the
control position(s). Should a number of such locations/alarms be present, then visual
alarm indication should also be fitted to enable rapid location of the source of the
alarm.
10.5.4 The alarm should provide an audible warning capable of being heard at all the
control positions in all anticipated weather and operational conditions, and preferably
a visual warning also, at the control position.