Bilge System

Question 1

Why bilge pump wouldn’t prime?

Answer 1

• Valve closed
• Valve open on direct bilge suction and pulling air
• Blocked strainer
• Impeller pump damaged
• Too low water level
• Worn seals
• Electrical issues

Question 2

Where is pumping prohibited?

Answer 2

• The Mediterranean Sea
• The Baltic Sea
• The Black Sea
• The Red Sea
• The “Gulfs” area (Persian Gulf)
• The North Sea
• The Antarctic area (south of 60° S latitude)
• The Wider Caribbean Region (including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea)

Question 3

Explain your bilge pumping arrangement onboard?

Answer 3

Moonsand consists of a bilge pump, fire pump and an emergency fire/ bilge pump.

All pumps have cross over valves in case it was required

Question 4

Draw a bilge system including an OWS?

Answer 4

See one note

Question 5

What type of pump is a bilge pump?

Answer 5

Centrifugal pump

Question 6

Bilge pump design?

Answer 6

It can achieve a high flow rate for a continuous amount of time. But they are not self priming

Question 7

How to prime the pump?

Answer 7

Ours are fitted with a priming chamber, this creates a vacuum using compressed air while also removing the air. once flow is achieved then the compressed air stops.

Question 8

Type of materials used in the construction?

Answer 8

• Casing - Bronze
• Impeller - Bronze or Stainless Steel
• Shaft - Stainless
• Bearings - Stainless or Ceramic