Boat Systems
Ballast Tanks and Bilge
System
NOTICE
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into the water. Violators can be fined $5,000.00.
Do not allow water to accumulate in the bilge area of your boat. When the boat is in use, make sure the bilge pump is turned on. The bilge pump is an automatic pump that tests for the presence of water every two to three minutes and pumps until the water is removed. If the pump is in between detection cycles, the detection mode can be bypassed to operate immediately by turning the switch off and then back on. Remember, the engine and other parts of the drive system could be damaged and there is also a risk of personal injury as increasing water level will adversely affect the handling and maneuverability of the boat.
CAUTION
The risk of personal injury from excess water in the bilge area will adversely affect the handling and maneuverability of the boat. Also, damage to the engine and other parts of the drive system can occur from the additional water. DO NOT allow the bilge pump to operate after all the water has been cleared from the bilge area; damage to the pump will occur.
European market boats include filters in the bilge drain hoses. These filters are designed to reduce the amount of contaminated bilge water being drained into waterways. The filters are located on the starboard side of the engine compartment, under the gunwale. Follow the filter manufacturer’s recommendations on when they must be replaced.
