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I agree with GChuba and Phil T. If it wasn't already apparent, you should hear this loud and clear: even though the bilge pump might bypass the fuse or breaker panel, the bilge pump should still have a fuse or circuit breaker INLINE. From what I have learned on this site, the best place to have this protection is as close to the battery as possible. That way, all the wiring is protected from overheating/fire damage, which usually protects a whole lot of other things, like other wiring, fuel lines, etc.

Most dedicated bilge pump switches (commercially available) have a switch and fuse receptacle mounted side by side in a little rectangular cover plate. The point of not going through the main panel is you don't want something stupid in your electrical system shutting down your bilge pump. Even on small boats where it isn't an electric cooktop or microwave overtaxing the amperage, you might have a mobile phone transformer/charger go bad, knocking out the main panel ... leaving your boat to fill in the rain ...