Bilge Sock 101 - What Is a Bilge Sock, How's It Used and The Critical Role It Plays in Protecting Our Waterways
Bilge Socks, A Boaters Best Friend The suns shining, the waters warm and the weather’s perfect for another beautiful boating season! As you prepare your boat for the water and go through your USCG Float Plan don’t forget a critical piece of equipment to ensure the safe and clean operation of your watercraft – the use of a Bilge Sock. What’s a Bilge Sock and How Do They Work? A Bilge Sock is a critical piece of boating equipment used to absorb and prevent the discharge of potentially dangerous chemicals into the surrounding marine environment. As the name suggests, a Bilge Sock resembles, well, a sock! Typically constructed of fabric mesh material, Bilge Socks are filled with one of many varieties of absorbent materials. Placed in the bilge compartment of a boat, the Bilge Sock floats on the surface of the bilge water absorbing gas, oil and other chemicals while preventing their discharge and pollution of the surrounding marine environment. A critical first de...