A bilge pump is a key piece of equipment found on just about any boat. The function of the bilge pump is to remove water that collects in the bilge, which is the bottom of the inside of the hull. Most of the time, water that collects in the bilge is incidental, It could be rain water or water from spray collecting in the boat, wash-down water that collects in the bilge while the boat is being cleaned; or water from built-in coolers that drain to the bilge.
Water may also collect in the bilge from minor leaks, such as water dripping from the shaft gland on an inboard boat.
