Morco issue further warning concerning Primo 6 boat heaters
MORCO are warning owners of boats that have Morco Primo open-flued water heaters that they are not safe.
It now tells that boaters that have Morco Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open-flued water heaters, sold between 2018 and 2023, to stop using the water heaters immediately and disconnect them from the gas supply.
Morco has issued the Important Safety Warning notice following the discovery that there is a risk of a gas leak in the water heaters, that could result in a fire.
Cause yet to be identified
Despite extensive independent investigations and tests, commissioned by Morco involving test houses and forensic expertise, the root cause of the issue has yet to be identified. So, Morco took a safety-first approach, and issued a warning to stop using the water heater immediately and isolate the gas supply to the appliance.
This safety-first approach also means that any water heaters upgraded in a campaign earlier this year, are also caught by the warning and should not be used and have the gas supply isolated, with a Morco spokesperson explaining:
"f you have one of these gas water heaters installed including those that have had the previous safety upgrade, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the next steps.
"Please do not attempt to check or test the appliance yourself."
Anyone with concerns about their Morco LPG open-flued water heater should go to the Morco website to check if their appliance is on the list. It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide.
If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at
Boat Safety Scheme
The Boat Safety Scheme is reinforcing the message to act now. The importance for boat owners is linked to the nature of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is generally heavier than air.
If LPG leaks from an appliance, it flows down as strong-smelling, but invisible gas to the lower parts of the boat where it can be trapped and pool, creating an explosive gas cloud that could be ignited by any type of spark or naked flame.
If anyone smells gas, which has a concentrated stenching agent added to aid detection, they should turn off the gas supply at the cylinder and open all windows, hatches and doors as they evacuate the vessel. The boat shouldn’t be re-boarded until the smell has gone completely.
Morco’s warning and advice also has implications for BSS Examinations on a boat with one of the affected water heaters installed. The BSS has published additional information on its website.