Editing Bilge (section)

==Bilge water==
The word is sometimes also used to describe the water that collects in this area. Water that does not drain off the side of the deck or through a hole in the hull, which it would typically do via a [[scupper]], instead drains down into the ship into the bilge. This water may be from rough seas, rain, leaks in the hull or [[Stuffing box#Boats|stuffing box]], or other interior spillage. The collected water must be pumped out to prevent the bilge from becoming too full and threatening to sink the ship.

Bilge water can be found aboard almost every vessel. Depending on the ship's design and function, bilge water may contain water, [[Diesel fuel|oil]], [[urine]], [[detergents]], [[solvents]], chemicals, [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]], particles, and other materials.

By housing water in a compartment, the bilge keeps these liquids below decks, making it safer for the crew to operate the vessel and for people to move around in heavy weather.