46 CFR 143.275: Bilge pumps and dewatering capability

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers how a vessel must be able to dewater in an emergency. It requires an installed or portable bilge pump. It also requires that all installed bilge piping have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction.

What it says

  1. There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering.

    “There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering.”

  2. Any portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability.

    “Any portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability.”

  3. All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.

    “All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.”

Common questions

Can I use a portable bilge pump instead of an installed one?

Yes. The text says the bilge pump for emergency dewatering may be installed or portable.

“There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering.”

What must a portable bilge pump have?

A portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability.

“Any portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability.”

Does installed bilge piping need a check valve?

Yes. All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.

“All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.”

The text of 46 CFR 143.275

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Bilge pumps or other dewatering capability

There must be an installed or portable bilge pump for emergency dewatering. Any portable pump must have sufficient hose length and pumping capability. All installed bilge piping must have a check/foot valve in each bilge suction that prevents unintended backflooding through bilge piping.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.