Bilge Water
From Open Source Ecology
Basics
- The mix of Water from Outside the Vessel (Be it Seawater, or Freshwater) and Contaminants that make their way around the Driveshaft’s Seal and any other Hull Penetrations into the vessel’s Bilge
- While not the BIGGEST issue on small vessels, on larger ships it becomes a Pollution and Biosecurity concern
- For example Zebra Mussels are an invasive species in North America’s Great Lakes introduced via Untreated Bilge Water
- These lead to all sorts of Biofouling and also are an invasive species
- Thus Best Practice (and probably law for larger vessels, citation needed) is to either contain it and pump it out for treatment onshore, or use some sort of onboard treatment akin to Marine Sanitation Devices
- Although this is moreso for the biosecurity concerns, if sufficiently Oil/Grease Contaminated, special treatment may be needed
Internal Links
- Petroleum Contact Water (the technical/regulatory name for a similar concept (from the Hydrocarbon Pollution Perspective)
- Ballast Water (A Similar Potential Biosecurity Concern in Shipping)
External Links
