bilge pump in line fuse some what melted

[tav]

took the boat out for one last trip and kinda noticed the bilge pump didn't kick in so i hit the panel switch not giving it any mind to it.
so today i was claening it so i could put her away and noticed the blade in the in line fuse at the float switch is pretty much melted, no good now. i do have it in the vacinity of water , could that happen if water got in the fuse body ? do i really need a in line fuse even tho i have a fuse panel ? or should i put the in line more near the battery away from the water?
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[Barnacle_Bill]

Put it closer to the battery

 

[Grub54891]

Put it closer to the battery,corrosion can cause resistance,and heat. Keeping it dry helps! I also prefer to use dialectric grease on most connections.

 

[tav]

the fuse is basicly off the float switch

 

[tav]

inspected all wires and redid all connections...water tight now and relocated the bad inline up and away from the water area should work fine next year. now prepping for winter storage.