---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 169.654"
title: "46"
number: "169.654"
heading: "Bilge pumps."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/169.654"
---

# §169.654. Bilge pumps.

- (a) Vessels of less than 65 feet in length must have a portable hand bilge pump having a maximum capacity of 5 gpm.
- (b) In addition to the requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, vessels of 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length must have a fixed hand bilge pump or fixed power bilge pump having a minimum capacity of 10 gpm. If a fixed hand pump is installed, it must be operable from on deck.
- (c) In addition to the requirements of [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, vessels of 40 feet but less than 65 feet must have a fixed power bilge pump having a minimum capacity of 25 gpm.
- (d) Vessels of 65 feet in length but less than 120 feet and under 100 gross tons must have two fixed power bilge pumps having a combined minimum capacity of 50 gpm.
- (e) Vessels of 120 feet or greater and vessels of 100 gross tons and over must have two fixed power pumps meeting the capacity requirements of [§ 56.50-55(c)](/cfr/46/56.50-55.md?p=c) of this chapter.
- (f) Each power driven bilge must be self priming.
- (g) Each fixed bilge pump required by this section must be permanently connected to the bilge main.
- (h) Bilge pumps may also be connected to the firemain provided that the bilge system and firemain system may be operated simultaneously.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.

### Source

Source: CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted.