Is bilge water and ballast water the same?

Bilge water shares a similarity with ballast water, as both are discharged from ships, then unfavorably influence the marine environment. A recent status of treating ballast water was reported by the authors of [2].

What is a ballast in ship?

Ballast is material that is used to provide stability to a vehicle or structure. A compartment within a boat, ship, submarine, or other floating structure that holds water is called a ballast tank. Water should move in and out from the ballast tank to balance the ship.

What is the purpose of a bilge?

The bilge is the lowest inner part, or bottom point, on a boat, and is designed to collect excess water. On vessels of virtually any size, a pump inside the bilge performs a very important function: to remove accumulated water by creating pressure or suction so that the water can be removed.

Why is it called a bilge?

The bilge is the lowest part of a ship where the bottom curves up to meet the sides. The water that collects there is also called bilge. Since bilge is dirty and smelly, the word is also slang for “nonsense.” On a large ship, some water inevitably ends up in the part that’s below the water line, the bilge.

How does water get into the bilge of a boat?

Water that does not drain off the side of the deck or through a hole in the hull, typically via a scupper, drains down into the ship into the bilge. This water may be from rough seas, rain, leaks in the hull or stuffing box, or other interior spillage. Bilge water can be found aboard almost every vessel.

When should I turn on my bilge pump?

How and When Should You Turn on a Bilge Pump? The pump may have a float or switch to turn it on automatically when water collects in the bilge. This is especially important if the boat is kept in the water, as you’ll want the pump to activate after a heavy rain storm, for example.

What is bilge and ballast system?

A bilge and ballast system is an interconnected network of valve manifold; pipelines, ballast tanks, dedicated valves with bilge and ballast pumps. The whole process consists of two key steps of ballasting and de-ballasting the ship; along with the added purpose to pump out bilges from cargo and machinery space.

What is the purpose of ballast?

In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.

Why do boats get water in the bilge?

Bilge water enters from an array of different sources, including but not limited to Prop and rudder shaft packing, a weak or rusty hose clamp, dry rotted or damaged hoses, old and worn out thru hull fitting, mast drip, window or port hole leaks, air conditioning condensation sweat, engine exhaust leak, hatch leak, or a …

How does a bilge work?

All Arid Bilge Systems have miniature collection chambers similar the bucket on the wet vac. Air is vacuumed out of the collection chamber, and then bilge water rushes in to fill this void. There is no priming necessary, all the water moves in one direction only. Then the water is trapped in the collection chamber.

Is it normal to have some water in the bilge?

This is normal and should not be a cause for concern as long as the water does not keep entering the boat. As long as the bilge pump is not running often, the amount of water in the bilge should be safe.

How often should you run your bilge pump?

It should check for water every two minutes. Nothing should come out of the bilge unless it has been raining or you have been in rough water. Next time you have her on the trailer use a water hose to fill the bilge and watch for where it comes out of the hull.

What are bilge and ballast systems?

Bilge and Ballast Systems for Ships Machinery Spaces The bilge system is used to remove small quantities of fluid that have leaked or condensed into a dry space. The system serves the machinery spaces, cargo holds, cofferdams, voids, stores, tunnels and pump rooms. Each space has its own piping but the pump is likely to be shared.

What is § 5650-50 bilge and ballast piping?

§ 56.50-50 Bilge and ballast piping. (1) All vessels except unmanned barges shall be provided with a satisfactory bilge pumping plant capable of pumping from and draining any watertight compartment except for ballast, oil and water tanks which have acceptable means for filling and emptying independent of the bilge system.

What is the function of the ballast on a ship?

The function of the ballast system is to pump to and empty all spaces in the ship in which ballast water can be supplied. The suction pipes for the ballast system will be completely separated from the bilge system. The ballast system can also be used for other purposes in emergencies, such as supplying

What is the purpose of a bilge system on a ship?

Bilge and Ballast Systems for Ships Machinery Spaces The bilge system is used to remove small quantities of fluid that have leaked or condensed into a dry space. The system serves the machinery spaces, cargo holds, cofferdams, voids, stores, tunnels and pump rooms.