Mares Morphos Recall

[toni_al]

I am about to buy a BCD and was searching the web for reviews and stumbled across a page on the Mares Germany Web Site.

http://www.mares-tauchsport.de/news_77.htm RECALL NOTICE

Anyway, Mares recommend that Morphos BCD with serial numbers 10 001 to 10 960 and Morphus Twin 10 001 to 13 581 be returned to Mares workshops for repair as a pneumatic controlled valve (air trim) is not sealing properly and loss of boyancy could result

The sentance "Für den Taucher kann dies Gefahr für Leib und Leben bedeuten." translates to "For the Diver this could be life threatening"

Has any body else heard about this re-call action and why can I not find
1. English version of this recall
2. Link on the Mares home page drawing ones attention to this.

Any ideas

 

[Cayman Lover]

First post for me, but thought I'd provide some useful info:

Went to try on a Mares Morphos at my LDS and was told all of them were sent back to the manufacturer due to a recall. The salesperson didn't know why. So I do a little investigating and call another LDS who tells me that there was a problem with one of the manual pull dumps, which under certain circumstances could be a safety hazard. I know this particular BC has more than one manual dump (in addition to 1-2 pneumatic ones, depending on if it's a Morphos or Morphos Twin). Any thoughts or other details anyone can provide? I was seriously hoping to buy one of these because of the great reviews and the fact that it sort of acts as both a back inflate at depth and a jacket-style BC at the surface (which I like). Thanks for welcoming me to the board.

 

[simonk999]

I have a Morphos and am wondering about this recall. I sent an email to Mares, but have yet to receive a reply. Haven't been able to find any additional info online.

I'm curious as to why the manual dump would be a safety problem, as it seems pretty much identical to those on my Dragonfly, which have operated with no problem.

-Simon

 

[ScubaRon]

The recall is only for certain series of Morphos (Twin) BCD's and pertains to a problem with the pneumatic (not the manual!) valve(s) not closing. This can result in a loss of buoyancy, which could result in serious accidents.

The solution is the addition of a small "spacer" ring, which can easily be added by any Mares authorized service technician. You state that your LDS had to send it back to Mares: I wonder if they are authorized...

The Mares Germany website contains details. It is in German, but you can use Google or Yahoo! to translate it.

As for Mares USA: they are notorious for their unresponsiveness. Don't hold your breath.
ScubaRon

 

[simonk999]

Since this seems an important recall, I thought I'd put a bit of the Mares Germany blurb up. I'm sure they won't mind.

BCs affected are:
Morphos: serial numbers 10,001 to 10,960
Morphos Twin: serial numbers 10,001 to 13,581

-Simon

 

[simonk999]

Talked to my LDS (an authorized dealer), and they talked to Mares.

If you have a Morphos, and you're in the US, call
Mares America customer service at (800) 874-3236.
Apparantly, you will get an authorization number,
after which, you have to send your BC to Connecticut,
where they will make the fix and get your BC back to
you in a few days.

-Simon

 

[Kawika]

Have you found any additional information regarding this recall?

Thanks...

Kawika

 

[ScubaRon]

...or just looked a few inches down on the page, you would have found this thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/t40316/s.html .
ScubaRon

 

[Kawika]

But if I had...then I wouldn't be blessed with your sarcastic response above...

 

[simonk999]

I just called Mares customer service, and true to reputation, they don't try to be helpful, though in fairness, the 3rd guy I talked to was friendly.

Anyway, the story is this: call Mares Customer Service at 1-800-874-3236 and tell them that you want to have your Morphos "retrofitted". Tell them that you know that your serial number is in the affected range (presuming it is). They will give you a return authorization number and you can send it to them in CT.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT say the word "recall". They will tell you in no uncertain terms that there has not been a recall. This is presumably why Mares has not posted any info on their US site. Perhaps liability concerns are less in Germany, so ironically, they're safer over there because manufacturers aren't loathe to give out information.

Presumably, readers outside of the US have to do this through their regional Mares office.

-Simon