Module 7 : Bilge and Ballast Pumping Systems

Question 1

What are the components of the bilge main?

Answer 1

Bilge Main
Branch Pipes
Bilge pumps
Valves
Bilge Wells
Mud boxes
Straight tailpipe

Question 2

What are the components of the direct bilge?

Answer 2

●Direct bilge line
●Direct bilge suction
●Strum box
●Direct bilge pump

Question 3

What are the components of the emergency bilge?

Answer 3

●Emergency bilge suction pipe
●Screw Down Non-Return (SDNR) Valve
●Emergency bilge pump
●Emergency power source
●Discharge lines
●Control station

Question 4

What are the components of the bilge ejection?

Answer 4

●Emergency bilge suction pipe
●Screw Down Non-Return (SDNR) Valve
●Pump

Question 5

Describe the construction of a Ballast Transfer System

Answer 5

Function:
Transfers ballast between tanks without taking in new ballast or discharging existing ballast.

No Ballast Main:
Operates without a central ballast main line.

Direct Connections:
Uses branch lines connected directly to suction and fill valve manifolds for each ballast tank.

Question 6

Describe how to empty a tank using a ballast transfer system

Answer 6

*Open the appropriate valve on the suction manifold.
●Open the suction valve connecting the pump to the suction manifold.
●Open the discharge valve that connects the pump to the overboard discharge.

Question 7

Describe how to fill a tank using a ballast transfer system

Answer 7

●Supply the suction side of the pump with seawater.
●Open the discharge valve to the discharge manifold.
●Open the appropriate tank valve on the fill manifold.

Question 8

Describe how to transfer ballast from one tank to another using a ballast transfer system

Answer 8

●Connect the suction side of the pump to the suction manifold.
●Connect the discharge side of the pump to the fill manifold.

Question 9

Describe the construction of a Ballast Main System

Answer 9

A ballast main system, similar to a bilge main, uses a common line that runs the length of the vessel. Individual ballast tanks are connected to the main line via branch pipes.

Question 10

Describe how to empty a tank using a ballast main system:

Answer 10

●Valves are opened to connect the suction side of the pump to the ballast main.
●The appropriate tank valve and overboard valve are opened.

Question 11

Describe how to fill a tank using a ballast main system:

Answer 11

●The suction side of the pump takes in seawater.
●The pump discharges water to the ballast main.
●The valve at the appropriate tank is opened

Question 12

What special considerations are given for all valves fitted to a bilge system?

Answer 12

All bilge suction lines, valve manifolds, and bilge main suctions must have screw-down non-return (SDNR) valves fitted and must be clearly labeled. Additionally, the bilge ejection valve in the machinery space must be an SDNR valve. The hand wheel for this valve must extend a minimum of 460 mm above the deck plates, and the wheel must be tagged “For Emergency Use Only”.

Question 13

What are the suction locations in double bottom vessels?

Answer 13

In vessels with double bottom construction in the machinery spaces, one branch suction from the bilge main and one direct suction are fitted on each side of the space.

Question 14

What are the suction locations in single bottom vessels?

Answer 14

In vessels with single bottom construction, one branch suction and one direct suction are fitted as close to the centerline as is practical.

Question 15

How many suctions must be fitted in a machinery space

Answer 15

Bilge systems in machinery spaces must be set up so that any water can be pumped out through at least two bilge suction lines when the ship is on an even keel or heeled over at 5 degrees. One of these lines will be from the bilge main and the other will be a direct bilge suction leading from a separate pump that may be used independently of the bilge main system.

Question 16

Where are the suctions in shaft tunnels?

Answer 16

A bilge main suction pipe will be fitted to the farthest aft point of the shaft tunnel if the vessel is fitted with one.

Question 17

What special considerations are given for suctions and piping in cargo holds

Answer 17

In cargo holds, all piping, valves, strainers, and mud boxes must be protected against damage.

Question 18

What special considerations are given for bilges located far forward or far aft in a vessel

Answer 18

Small individual pumps may be used to draw directly from the space because it is impractical to route the bilge main to these areas

Question 19

What special considerations are given for bilge piping in double bottom?

Answer 19

Bilge suction lines are not permitted to pass through double bottom tanks unless alternate routing is not feasible. If they must pass through a double bottom tank, the pipes must be extra heavy.

Question 20

What special considerations are given for bilge piping in deep tanks?

Answer 20

Bilge lines may not pass through deep tanks. If it is unavoidable for a bilge line to pass through a deep tank, the pipe must be extra heavy and fitted in one length with welded or heavy flanged joints

Question 21

Where would a bilge well be fitted?

Answer 21

Bilge wells are recesses constructed in the double bottom of a vessel and are fitted in areas where bilge water will accumulate. They are necessary when the vessel has a double bottom in the machinery space and no provisions are made at the ship’s side for bilges (i.e. the tank top extends to the ship’s side).

Question 22

How large must a bilge well be?

Answer 22

Bilge wells must have a capacity of at least 150 liters and should be easily accessible for cleaning.

Question 23

Where is the emergency bilge pump commonly located?

Answer 23

The emergency bilge pump is typically located in a separate compartment, above the freeboard deck, and as far away from the main machinery space (engine room) as possible

Question 24

What special considerations are given to the emergency bilge pump’s power and operation?

Answer 24

Power Source:
Typically powered by the emergency generator.
May also be driven by a hydraulic motor, with the power pack above the freeboard deck.

Control Requirements:
Pump controls must be clearly identified.

Valve Operation:
Valves must be operable from a location above the freeboard deck.

Question 25

The bilge ejection line is commonly fitted to the main engine cooling pump. If no main engine is fitted what must it be connected to

Answer 25

If a main engine cooling water pump is not fitted on a vessel, the emergency bilge suction arrangement must be connected to the largest independent powered pump in the space.