Bailers and bilge pumps are used to remove water from vessels.
The type and capacity of the bailer or bilge pump required depends on the type, buoyancy, and size of your vessel.
For example, some vessels have self-draining decks or are constructed to have positive buoyancy even if they are filled with water. Other vessels have compartments where water is difficult to detect without an alarm and cannot be cleared using a bailer.
It is up to you to determine if you need to carry a bailer or bilge pump.
Bailers
All vessels should carry a bailer or bucket with a rope attached.
Bailers and buckets can be used for bailing out water and fighting fires.
Bilge pump
A bilge pump is a pump used to remove water from inside the bottom of a boat.
Bilge pumps:
- may be manual or power operation
- must be capable of pumping 4 kilolitres per hour.
If you fit an electric bilge pump with an automatic switch it should have an indicator to show when the pump is working.
The bilge pump should be protected by a strainer to prevent the pump suction choking.
Make sure to maintain, clean and check the operation of the bilge pump regularly.