[Cynthia Kennedy]

NEWS …. BC ferry’s lack of clear communication.
Monday, I returned from a fabulous trip in Nuchatilz. At the Departure Bay terminal checking in I was asked if I had a camp stove. Yup. What was the campstove fuel?
One of those canisters.   What is in those canisters? well isobutane/propane mix.   I was left thru but later found lounging in the ferry line up by the Ferry personal. Per the Manager at site NO BUTANE allowed.  I politely asked where this prohibition was listed on the BC Ferry site.

ITS NOT.
https://www.bcferries.com/travel-boarding/dangerous-goods/list-of-common-items

I was shown an internal memo dated this year prohibiting butane. NO, I may not copy or take a picture of set new rules.  It’s an INTERNAL MEMO.
Um how can I comply if BC Ferries is not actively listing BUTANE as a prohibited substance?
SO, you’re supposed to phone BC ferry at:
If your particular product is not listed or you have any questions about travelling with dangerous good, you can email us at dg.bcf@bcferries.com, call 250-978-1152, or fax 250-386-1652.
Um I am a wilderness expedition kayaker.  Not all of BC has phone or wifi access ie Zeballos BC
AND you cannot dispose of the fuel with BUTANE at the Ferry terminal.  You must leave the ferry line and find a place to dump the fuel.
Ok so now my exasperation reaches a new height.
They looked the other way as I gave the cannister to another BC Ferry employee that uses the same Jet Boil system that I do.
SHH… I wasn’t supposed to tell anybody.  Oh, that how BC Ferry operates.

Topic

[John Halliday]

I notice that that the dangerous goods page states the following:

Foot passengers that are camping must hand over their camping fuel to the loading officer.

On the many wheel-on trips I’ve done – never done this or been told to.

[Theresa Davies]

Unfair and unreasonable to not post the prohibition but enforce it upon arrival to the ferry. Absolutely need to clarify and correct this asap. “New rules” need to be posted and we need an “alert of new rule”  as well. We’ve always taken these fuel canisters on the ferries to the island. How are they hazardous now? Crazy mixed up world!!

 

[John Leung]

Wondering if this is something we can complain to minstry of transportation.  If it is prohibited from bringing on the ferry, it really should be communicated.  And require people to leave the line and potentially dispose of it in unsafe manner, doesn’t make the public any safer.

[Author]

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