On 6 May, the bilge had been inspected and battery terminal clamps replaced. After warming the engine, the bilge remained dry and clean.
When water appeared again on 28 June, there was therefore a useful comparison: the previously documented condition was dry. That reference is stronger than a vague memory that it used to look different.
A check needs a known starting point
A clean bilge makes new liquid easier to see. A photograph or brief note can record date and condition without turning every inspection into a technical report.
Routine without alarm
Regular checking is not about constantly expecting failure. It makes changes visible early enough to assess them calmly.
Comparison makes small changes visible
A bilge says little if it is opened only when a problem is suspected. Comparable checks before departure, after a longer engine run or after work on water-carrying systems make it informative. The purpose is familiarity with the normal condition, not constant fault-finding. Knowing how dry, clean and odourless the space was makes a later change easier to recognise and describe, as HERA’s records from 6 May and 28 June demonstrate.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a bilge be checked?
That depends on the yacht, use and current observations. An unexplained change calls for more frequent checks.
Why is cleanliness technically useful?
New liquid, colour and traces are easier to recognise and assign.
What was HERA’s reference condition?
After the engine was warmed on 6 May, the bilge remained dry and clean.
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ONBOAT schematic for regular visual inspection of a yacht bilge