Cleaning oil from the bilge

[JMK]

The boat we just purchased has a LOT of oil in the bilge. In some areas it is coating the bilge to just under the cabin sole. I suspect that some previous work by the PO or someone else is the source as the engine (Perkins 4-154) is working well. I have heard, though, that these are leaky engines. The big question of the day is how do you legally get that oil out of the bilge. We're getting ready for a haulout. Is there something that can be better done shoreside? A lot of the areas are not readily accessible to just hand scrubbing so I was looking for ideas.

Thanks,
J.M.

[Ziggy]

You could try oil eating microbes, like this:
MICROBIAL POWDER 6 OZ SHAKER 750637
I found it very effective on small spills. If successful, I think you could pump the bilge water overboard without breaking any pollution regulations.