[Roberto Dominguez]

Cameron, I would swear that the mention of ‘UN1011 Butane’ was not yesterday in the BC Ferries dangerous good page… but for sure I can confirm it is a very recent change: the previous version of the page of May 8, 2025 does not mention it…

So I guess we can only carry them to Bowen Island… just don’t let Bowenites know or they’re going  to campaign for the prohibition 😀

[Dawn Lessoway]

Sounds like closed vehicle decks is the issue… but “Speaking of losing reservations I found out the hard way that if you have a reservation for an over height vehicle and turn up under height the reservation is void. This resulted in a lost half day waiting for the next available ferry. It seemed that my offer to strap my passenger on the roof to comply to the over height catergory wasn’t acceptable and was not appreciated.” is also a fair warning – both for underheight vehicles (wha?) and passengers travelling with Tony 😀

[Cameron Redenbach]

Hello

great topic thanks for sharing !
Just recently travelling to Vancouver island they suddenly ask about butane it has always been propane in the past.

doing some research I can see the issue and miscommunication on the issue. Under dangerous goods they list everything but butane. Then in another page they have a note under non commercial. Confusing yet?
What does UN1011 cover? Emailed bcferries to clarify

I swear just the other day was reading another bcferries web page about white gas and it had butane but I must have read wrong.

having a hard time finding the camping white gas but found this pdf

COLEMAN’S FUEL, NAPTHA, WHITE GAS these products are used to fill camp stoves and lanterns and have special conditions attached to their carriage. Passenger vehicles are permitted a maximum of 5L metal containers. Foot passengers are prohibited from carrying this product as part of their baggage.

https://www.bcferries.com/web_image/hb8/h47/8800139018270.pdf

 

https://www.bcferries.com/travel-boarding/dangerous-goods

Non-commercial vehicles
Dangerous goods include all gas or propane tanks, outboard motors with attached tanks, chainsaws, scuba tanks and more.

Notes:Your hand baggage must not contain any dangerous goods on the ferry, at any time
BC Ferries baggage vans will not carry dangerous goods of any kind
Some camping fuels are prohibited, for example, UN1011 Butane. Reach out to your terminal of departure prior to travel for more details, if desired.

 

https://www.bcferries.com/travel-boarding/dangerous-goods/list-of-common-items

Propane – is permitted on BC Ferries in approved cylinders within specific limits and when carried for domestic use only. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from carrying propane cylinders of any size. Cylinders must be upright and securely attached to the vehicle.Recreational vehicles (e.g. RVs, campers and motorhomes) are permitted:Up to 2 cylinders, each with a maximum of 46 litre water capacity individually.* The maximum capacity for both cylinders combined cannot equal more than 65 litre water capacity total.
Propane must be for domestic use and must be secured to the vehicle or trailer.
A vehicle or trailer carrying a portable barbecue (or for a BBQ) is permitted:Limit of one (1) cylinder with a capacity not exceeding 18.9L water capacity.
This would make the 3rd allowable cylinder for RVs, trailers and camping vehicles.

 

[Theresa Davies]

I emailed the Dangerous Goods Office for BC Ferries and specifically asked about Primus and here is the response below. News to me, I have always carried these gas containers in my car to the Island on this ferry. Can’t say I didn’t know now. Ignorance WAS bliss.

Primus gas

UN2037

Shipping name of the product is “liquified petroleum gas’

 

Dangerous Goods Office
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.

UN 2037 cannot be transported on closed deck vessels, and all the vessels operating on the route between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo are closed deck vessels. As such, this product cannot be transported.

 

[Nick Heath]

Indeed this is strange, inconsistent and confusing.

I’ve become accustomed to re-filling with water additional boat fuel jerrycans because extra fuel is disallowed over  a single 25L jug (which is in addition to the boat’s full main tank of whatever size) and I can appreciate that empty fuel tanks are more explosive than full ones, but the hazard of camp fuel seems trivial compared with what is routinely carried in trucks and RVs and vehicles like bikes with various lithium-ion power batteries.

 

[Tony Clayton]

BC Ferries have always had confusing restrictions on camping stove fuels. I recall having to surrender our white gas at Port Hardy prior to boarding for Prince Rupert that resulted in some  some frantic efforts to obtain fuel on arrival in Haida Gwaii. On subsequent trips to Haida Gwaii this wasn’t a problem.

Regarding the present ban on transporting butane canisters (that I assume would also apply to small propane canisters) this is less of a problem on an outgoing trip when one can pick up canisters on the way to Vancouver Island or Haida Gwaii destinations but presents more of a problem with partially depleted canisters. I guess that we will have to be wasteful and void the canister and then punch holes in it to prove that we are not carrying butane on our return journey.

Speaking of losing reservations I found out the hard way that if you have a reservation for an over height vehicle and turn up under height the reservation is void. This resulted in a lost half day waiting for the next available ferry. It seemed that my offer to strap my passenger on the roof to comply to the over height catergory  wasn’t acceptable and was not appreciated.

 

[Devi Desabhatla]

Sure.

Email me at : zytex5@gmail.com

Cheers

[Roberto Dominguez]

Most posted information in BC Ferries’ site refer to camp fuel and propane… no mention of butane/isobutane…

There is also the recent restriction of transporting non functional EVs so they are getting more strict in enforcing rules, so be prepared.

I’d be more afraid of exploding e-bikes… which I believe are way more risky than a couple of tiny canisters…

Last time I came back from Nanaimo with a reservation but showed up to the earlier sail, they made me acknowledge that I ‘relinquished’ my reservation (through a note in my ticket) and that I may or may not have to wait… which it was silly, as the sail was just 50% full.

 

 

 

 

[Cynthia Kennedy]

John the hand over of fuel canister is for “Northern Bc Ferry Routes”

[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.

[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.

[Kallie Cunningham]

One spot has opened up for Strokes Tune-up & Practice session this Saturday July 12 9-noon.

Two spots are still available for Currents Course Aug 8-10.

Sign in and go to Training/Course Schedule for descriptions and registration.

[Michele Filion]

Great! I will send you an email to coordinate

[Author]

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