[Former Member]

Thanks John , sent me MSDS sheet to Coleman fuel

BCFerries web page says 5L white gas ok

but the dangerous good officer is now saying it’s group3 and requires documentation required and  unlimited cans if under 90l

 

UN 1268 packing group 3 is limited depending on the flashpoint of the product. For a flashpoint above 37.8C, documentation is required but there is no limit. For a flashpoint below 37.8C the following applies:

 

Flash Point 23 C. – 37.8 C.: may only be carried in containers up to a maximum of 250 L. If container size is up to 90L, no limit to numbers of containers. If container size is between 91 L – 250 L, maximum of 1 container per vehicle. Documentation is required.

 

[Former Member]

Hello Cynthia

This is the customer service to expect

UN 1268 packing group 1 is not allowed on passenger sailings.

 

UN 1268 packing group 2 is only allowed on open car decks (cannot travel on the major routes between the mainland and Vancouver Island).

 

UN 1268 packing group 3 is limited depending on the flashpoint of the product. For a flashpoint above 37.8C, documentation is required but there is no limit. For a flashpoint below 37.8C the following applies:

 

Flash Point 23 C. – 37.8 C.: may only be carried in containers up to a maximum of 250 L. If container size is up to 90L, no limit to numbers of containers. If container size is between 91 L – 250 L, maximum of 1 container per vehicle. Documentation is required.

[Cynthia Kennedy]

Well I sent my complaint note to Bc ferries Tuesday 8 July.   BUTANE was not listed on the ferry website on Monday 7 July. So now I am wondering about a walk on with your camp stove in your kayak. I got a trip planned in August if the GULF island. Guess it’s time for a NON butane stove. Recommendations?

[Former Member]

As I noted the page with the butane information isn’t not on the normal page as well it’s a “note” .  So I don’t blame anyone for not being able to find it

Just to add some humour to this thread just check out BC ferries response

I started to ask BCFerries directly about some items. One was to confirm about white gas, camping fuel or Colman fuel. With links to MSR, Coleman and crown fuels in square metal cans.  Some how pressurized gas can be stored in thin square cans ?  Roll eyes

”Some of those photos show “camp fuel”. Camp fuel is a generic name used for various types of fuel (such as propane, butane, and white gas). I can only provide you with information on each fuel.”

 

 

 

 

 

[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 😀

[Former Member]

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!!

 

[Author]

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