A containment apparatus for protecting a surrounding environment from leaks originating from a stuffing box is provided. In some embodiments, the containment apparatus utilizes a float switch to switch off a pump associated with the stuffing box when the level of a liquid in the vessel exceeds a predetermined level. The switch can communicate ultrasonically with a receiver that relays a message to a user. In some embodiments, the vessel comprises two half vessels that are lined by a metal frame along there mating edges.