The Bilge is a term for the compartment at the bottom of a vessel (ocean liner, yacht, sailboat, cruiser.. etc) where water collects so that it may be pumped out of the vessel at a later time. Bilge pumps went from buckets, to hand pumps, and now electric bilge pumps are available for even small vessels. By housing water in a compartment, it keeps it from the floor of the vessel, making it safer to move around in strong weather, and keeping passengers from fearing the worst -- that the vessel might be sinking.

See Also bilge water, bilge pump. Bilge_Khan)