[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR182.520]

[Page 283-284]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 182_MACHINERY INSTALLATION--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart E_Bilge and Ballast Systems
 
Sec. 182.520  Bilge pumps.

    (a) A vessel must be provided with bilge pumps in accordance with 
Table 182.520(a). A second power pump is an acceptable alternative to a 
hand pump if it is supplied by a source of power independent of the 
first power bilge pump. Individual power pumps used for separate spaces 
are to be controlled from a central control point and must have a light 
or other visual means at the control point to indicate operation.

                                                Table 182.520(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                        Min. capacity  required
     Number of passengers            Length of vessel          Bilge pumps required     per pump ltrs/min (gal/
                                                                                                  min)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any number....................  More than 19.8 m (65 ft)..  2 fixed power pumps......  190 LPM
                                                                                       (50 GPM).
More than 49 passengers and     Not more than 19.8 m (65    1 fixed power pump and...  95 LPM (25 GPM).
 all ferry vessels.              ft).
                                                            1 portable hand pump.....  38 LPM (10 GPM).
Not more than 49 passengers     7.9 m, 26 feet up to 19.8   1 fixed power pump and 1   38 LPM (10 GPM).
 (Other than ferry vessels).     m (65 ft).                  portable hand pump or.
                                                            1 fixed hand pump and....  38 LPM (10 GPM).
                                                            1 portable hand pump.....  19 LPM (5 GPM).
                                Less than 7.9 m (26 ft)...  1 portable hand pump.....  19 LPM (5 GPM).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) A portable hand bilge pump must be:
    (1) Capable of pumping water, but not necessarily simultaneously, 
from all watertight compartments; and
    (2) Provided with suitable suction hose capable of reaching the 
bilge of each watertight compartment and discharging overboard.
    (c) Each fixed power bilge pump must be self priming. It may be 
driven off the main engine or other source of power. It must be 
permanently connected to the bilge manifold and may also be connected to 
the fire main. If of sufficient capacity, a power bilge pump may also 
serve as a fire pump.
    (d) Where two fixed power bilge pumps are installed, they must be 
driven by different sources of power. If one pump is driven off the main 
engine in a single propulsion engine installation, the other must be 
independently driven. In a twin propulsion engine installation, each 
pump may be driven off a different propulsion engine.
    (e) A submersible electric bilge pump may be used as a power bilge 
pump required by Table 182.520(a) only on a vessel of not more than 19.8 
meters (65 feet) in length carrying not more than 49 passengers, other 
than a ferry, provided that:
    (1) The pump is listed by Underwriters' Laboratories Inc. or another 
independent laboratory;
    (2) The pump is used to dewater not more than one watertight 
compartment;

[[Page 284]]

    (3) The pump is permanently mounted;
    (4) The pump is equipped with a strainer that can be readily 
inspected and cleaned without removal;
    (5) The pump discharge line is suitably supported;
    (6) The opening in the hull for the pump discharge is placed as high 
above the waterline as possible;
    (7) A positive shutoff valve is installed at the hull penetration; 
and
    (8) The capacity of the electrical system, including wiring, and 
size and number of batteries, is designed to allow all bilge pumps to be 
operated simultaneously.
    (f) A flexible tube or hose may be used instead of fixed pipe for 
the discharge line of a submersible electric bilge pump provided the 
hose or tube does not penetrate any required watertight bulkheads and 
is:
    (1) Of good quality and of substantial construction, suitable for 
the intended use; and
    (2) Highly resistant to salt water, petroleum oil, heat, and 
vibration.
    (g) If a fixed hand pump is used to comply with Table 182.520(a), it 
must be permanently connected to the bilge system.
    (h) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a 
power driven fire pump required by Sec. 181.300 of this chapter may 
serve as a fixed power bilge pump required by this subpart, provided it 
has the minimum flow rate required by Table 182.520(a).
    (i) On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a 
power driven fire pump required by Sec. 181.300 of this subchapter may 
serve as one of the two fixed power bilge pumps required by this 
subpart, provided:
    (1) The bilge and fire pump systems are interconnected;
    (2) The dedicated bilge pump is capable of pumping the bilges at the 
same time the fire/bilge pump charges the firemain; and
    (3) Stop valves and check valves are installed in the piping to 
isolate the systems during simultaneous operation and prevent possible 
flooding through the bilge system.
    (j) A catamaran vessel must be equipped with bilge pumps for each 
hull, as if each hull is a separate vessel, in accordance with Table 
182.520(a), except where:
    (1) One dedicated pump is located in each hull;
    (2) Each dedicated pump is driven by an independent source of power; 
and
    (3) The bilge system is permanently cross connected between hulls.

[CGD 85-080, 61 FR 986, Jan. 10, 1996; 61 FR 20557, May 7, 1996, as 
amended by CGD 97-057, 62 FR 51050, Sept. 30, 1997; CGD 85-080, 62 FR 
51358, Sept. 30, 1997]