Gas heaters, beware

Have you, by any chance, fitted a gas heater to your boat recently? If you have, be aware that you may possibly have invalidated your insurance policy. Underwriters will need to be told of such installations and may well demand a survey by a CORGI registered surveyor.
Catalytic heaters can be unsafe in boats because there is no permanent ventilation into the accommodation area which cannot be permanently closed off. The closeness of inflammable materials can also be a danger, especially if the heater is fitted in a passageway past which crew need to move and thus brush up against heater screens. How many skippers know that there is a firm recommendation that catalytic heaters should not be used on board pleasure craft? A talk to insurance brokers may be worthwhile.