From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
- For the 8th century Khan of the Gokturks, see Bilge Khan.
The bilge is the compartment at the bottom of the hull of a ship or boat where water collects so that it may be pumped out of the vessel at a later time.
By housing water in a compartment, it keeps it beneath the decks, making it safer for the crew to operate the vessel and for people to move around in strong weather.
The development of bilge pumps went from buckets, to hand pumps, and now electric bilge pumps are available for even small vessels. Bilge coatings are applied to protect the surfaces. "Bilge water' is a derogatory term often used colloquially to refer to something bad, ruined, or fouled.