Bilge systems

Lecture
2

Function
To drain any watertight compartment other

than ballast, oil or water tanks and to

discharge the contents overboard
The number of pumps and their capacity

depend upon the size, type and service of the

vessel

Bilge System

Bilge main diameter, dm

d m 1.68 L ( B D ) 25

(mm)

L = length of ship
B = Breadth
D = Depth

Branch bilge main diameter, db

d b 2.15 l ( B D) 25
l = length of compartment

(mm)

Bilge System

Bilge pump capacity, Q

2

dm
Q 5.75 3
10

(m3/h)

Two bilge pumps are required

Suctions are arranged such that water
can be pumped out when ship is
inclined 5
Arrangement must be such that water
cannot pass from sea or ballast system
into dry spaces through the bilge
system

Bilge System and

Pollution
Bilge pumping systems are arranged so as to

prevent oil or water from passing into spaces

or from passing from one compartment to
another.

MARPOL(marine pollution) or
International Convention for Prevention of Pollution From
Ships

Oil pollution at sea is limited by MARPOL 1973

legislation which effectively states that:

It is an offence to discharge bilge water

contaminated with more than 100ppm (parts
per million) in some areas only 15 ppm fuel
or lubricating oil in a prohibited zone.

MARPOL(marine pollution) or
International Convention for Prevention of Pollution From Ships

The international oil pollution chart shows the

prohibited zones but generally it includes all

waters within 160 km of the shore including
territorial waters.

Oil/water separators are used to ensure that

vessels do not discharge oil when pumping out

bilges, oil tanks or any oilcontaminated space.

 Large small craft (20m and above) are today often fitted with

bilge water separates to ensure that any bilge water

discharged conforms to the regulations regarding purity. This
is particularly applicable to vessels operating in American
waters covered by the U.S. Coast Guard Regulations
There is no doubt that the web of these regulations will be

extended and tightened in an international effort to curb

pollution at sea. Therefore we may be assured that in future
Bilge Separators or Bilge water filtration will be a compulsory
fitment in vessels of all sizes in future.
Specific requirements regarding the number of bilge pumps

and their capacities are delineated in the regulations

End of lecture