Question 1

The leak is now blocked with a bung but there is still water in the bilge. What pumps should be used and in what order?

Accepted Answer

Use the electric bilge pump first (usually automatic or a switch at the panel) as it is fastest with least effort. Back this up with the manual bilge pump (usually worked by a handle in the cockpit) in case the electric pump cannot keep up or the battery fails. A bucket can also help in an emergency The electric pump clears water fastest with no crew effort needed, so use it first. The manual pump is the reliable backup if electrics fail (a real risk if water has reached the batteries). A bucket is hard work but always available and needs no power or moving parts — useful if both pumps fail. Knowing where all three are and how to use them before you need them is part of every skipper's pre-departure brief.

Question 2

A crew member lifts a floorboard and sees more water than usual sloshing in the bilge. What is the first thing to do?

Accepted Answer

Tell the skipper immediately and check how fast the water level is rising — is it a trickle or rising quickly? This tells you how serious it is Always tell the skipper straight away — water ingress can get worse fast and the whole crew needs to know. Watching how quickly the level rises helps everyone judge whether this is a slow drip or a serious leak. A little water in the bilge can be normal (rain, spray) but more than usual should never be ignored.

Question 3

The water seems to be coming in steadily. What should the crew check first to find where it is coming from?

Accepted Answer

Check the seacocks (the valves where pipes pass through the hull, e.g. for the toilet or engine cooling) — these are the most common source. Also check the stern gland (where the propeller shaft passes through), hose clips, and the bilge pump itself Seacocks and their hoses are the classic weak point — a perished hose or a loose clip lets seawater straight into the boat. The stern gland (where the prop shaft exits the hull) commonly drips and can fail. Checking these first, in this order, finds the most likely causes quickly. Radioing for help is sensible later, but finding and possibly stopping the leak comes first if the crew can do it safely.