Bilge Pumps, Engine Trays and the BSS: What Is Checked
Checked against its sources on 20 Oct 2026.
There is no Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) requirement to have a bilge pump. But the BSS does check a few things in and around the bilges, mostly to stop oil and fuel getting into the water and to keep wiring safe.
Engine trays
Every fixed engine and gearbox must sit over an engine tray or oil-tight area. The BSS checks that it:
- is at least as long and wide as the engine and gearbox together
- is made of a material that will not let oil through
- has no leaks, damage or deterioration
- is big enough to hold the oil from the engine and gearbox sumps
Pumping out oily water
A fixed bilge pump, or fixed bilge suction line, must not pump from the engine tray or oil-tight area unless:
- the water goes through a bilge water filter that can achieve 5 parts per million, or
- it goes to a holding tank.
If you have a filter, replace the cartridge as needed. A clogged filter does not work.
If the examiner finds a portable bilge pump in the engine tray, they should advise you to remove it.
Bilge pump wiring
Most electrical circuits must pass through the battery isolator. An automatic bilge pump is one of the exceptions, because it needs power all the time. If it bypasses the isolator, it must be protected by a suitable fuse or circuit breaker.
Connections below bilge water
Electrical connections must be above the level of bilge water, or inside a watertight enclosure. The examiner judges the level from any tidemark in the bilge. The final connection to a submersible bilge pump is accepted as compliant.
Looking after your pump
The BSS does not set maintenance rules for bilge pumps. Follow the maker’s instructions for testing and cleaning. If water is coming into the boat and you cannot explain it, find out why.
Sources
All read 20 Oct 2026.