The lowest internal part of the hull where the sides curve inward to meet the bottom. The bilge collects water that enters the hull from leaks, condensation, or washing, and bilge pumps remove this water overboard through an oily-water separator.
Category: Ship Structure & Parts
On The Maritime
The desks that work with Ship Structure & Parts terms.
Related terms
More in Ship Structure & Parts
AnchorA heavy device lowered to the seabed on a chain or cable to hold a vessel in position.Ballast TankTanks within a vessel's hull that can be filled with or emptied of seawater to adjust the vessel's trim, stability, and draft.BollardA strong vertical post on a ship's deck or on a quay used for securing mooring lines.BridgeThe command and navigation center of a vessel, typically located on the uppermost deck of the superstructure, providing a clear view forward and to both sides.BulkheadA vertical partition wall within a vessel's hull that divides the interior into separate compartments.Cargo HoldAn enclosed space within a vessel's hull designed for the stowage of cargo.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026