Bailer or bilge pump
All vessels must carry some form of bilge pump or bailing equipment.
Bailers
Vessels under seven metres may have a bailer instead of a pump.
Depending on the size of the vessel, a strong bucket with two metres of rope attached makes an excellent addition to your gear list. As a safety item, it is useful both for bailing water out and fighting fires.
Bilge pumps
Bilge pumps are required for boats seven metres and over, may be manual or power operation, and must be capable of pumping four kilolitres per hour.
If you fit an electric bilge pump with an automatic switch it must have an indicator to show when the pump is working. Check its operation regularly, and keep it well maintained.
The bilge pump should be protected by a strainer to prevent choking of the pump suction. Clean bilges reduce the possibility of blocked pumps.
